The Jubilee Party has formed a three-member committee to lead its coalition negotiations with other opposition parties, the clearest sign yet that party leader Fred Matiang'i is moving to formalise his alliances ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The Inter-Party Coalition Building Committee was set up during a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting chaired by Matiang'i on Tuesday, October 27. The party made the resolutions public on Wednesday in a statement signed by Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta.

Who is on the team

Former Murang'a Senator Kembi Gitura will chair the committee. Ole Kenta and Janet Ong'era are the other two members.

According to the resolutions, the team will:

  • Review the draft Deed of Agreement for The Ukombozi Alliance (TUA) and propose changes where necessary
  • Engage like-minded opposition parties and coalitions on possible cooperation
  • Develop proposals to strengthen unity within the opposition
  • Report its recommendations to the NEC for further direction once talks are concluded

The party did not say when the committee is expected to report or which parties it will approach first.

"Recognising Jubilee Party's membership in the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance and the importance of unity among opposition parties ahead of the 2027 General Election, the NEC appointed an Inter-Party Coalition Building Committee to spearhead engagements with other like-minded parties and coalitions," the statement said.

It added that the NEC had reaffirmed the party's commitment to "constructive dialogue, cooperation and the pursuit of a common agenda" for the country.

New officials

In separate resolutions, the NEC approved Matiang'i's appointment of Lucy Naisiae Kashu as interim chairperson of the party's Women's Caucus and Madina Yunis Mahat as interim Deputy National Organising Secretary. The two will serve in an acting capacity to fill positions that had fallen vacant.

Opposition talks

The move comes as Matiang'i, who is also Jubilee's presidential candidate, steps up his political partnership with People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua and People's Party of Kenya leader Ndindi Nyoro. The three have been holding joint rallies across the country, most recently in Njoro, Nakuru County, where they called for a united opposition front.

Jubilee's continued membership of Azimio adds another layer to the talks, as opposition formations weigh competing alliance arrangements and the question of a single flagbearer to face President William Ruto remains unresolved.

Matiang'i, who served as Interior Cabinet Secretary under retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, took over the party's leadership from Kenyatta on September 22. Kenyatta had led Jubilee since leaving office in 2022 but stepped aside in line with legal restrictions on retired presidents holding party leadership positions.

The formation of a dedicated negotiating team suggests Jubilee intends to bargain for its interests in the Ukombozi Alliance rather than simply sign on to a document drafted elsewhere.

Photos: Kenyans.co.ke; The Star. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.