Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju has dismissed claims that he's plotting to use renewed friendship with Raila Odinga and contest for Siaya gubernatorial seat or Rarieda MP slot.
Raila's lawyer Otiende Amollo is the current Rarieda MP while Senator James Orengo is said to be interested with Siaya gubernatorial seat.
In an interview with Sunday Nation, Tuju, a key pillar in the handshake, instead said he's keen to see the handshake working. According to him, he quit active politics after losing Rarieda seat in 2007.
“I have no interest whatsoever of becoming the governor of Siaya for example or MP for Rarieda. I have stated it before and I state it again. From the time I left active politics, I went back to private endeavours which kind of confine me to Nairobi.”
The Jubilee Secretary General adds: “People, especially people of the Nyanza region think that if I am seen to be working with Mr Odinga then it means I am interested in a certain political office. The truth of the matter is that I am not.”
The minister without portfolio said Kenyans should not take politics serious, adding that despite tension between him and Raila in the past, their children have been good friends.
“I am Raila’s neighbour in Nairobi’s Karen estate. His children and mine are fond of each other and exchange visits frequently. So you people should never fight among yourselves,” he said.
Last week, Senator Orengo lauded Tuju as an important player in government, adding that all leaders will work with him to deliver on President Uhuru Kenyatta's agenda.
“As it stands today, Mr Tuju is a very critical player in the governance of this country,” said Mr Orengo, who was speaking in Rarieda last week during the commissioning of some development projects in the area.
His sentiments comes amid reports that he's currently a key pillar in Raila's kitchen cabinet. Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday blasted him, hinting a possible political battle targeting him in coming days.