Raphael Tuju Appointed Executive Director of Raila’s Azimio Secretariat

Former Jubilee Party secretary-general Raphael Tuju has been appointed the executive director of the Azimio secretariat.

The secretariat Communications Director Dennis Onyango said Tuju accepted the appointment and will assume the role with immediate effect.

“As Executive Director, Hon. Tuju will coordinate all member parties of Azimio and will lead the strategic and programme teams that will work to ensure Azimio's victory in the August elections,” Onyango said in a statement on Wednesday.

"A communication specialist by training, Hon Tuju has decades of experience in politics and government, having served as Member of Parliament, Cabinet Minister and Jubilee Party Secretary-General.”

The Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition brings together over 20 political parties, including Jubilee, ODM, Wiper, and Kanu.

“…the over 20 political parties have diverse regional strengths, opinions, and a myriad of leadership that represent the face of Kenya,” the statement adds.

Tuju, a former MP for Rarieda, resigned as the Jubilee secretary-general and Cabinet Secretary without a portfolio in February to venture into active politics.

He played a key role in President Kenyatta’s re-election bid in 2017 and had announced plans to run for political office in the forthcoming elections.

The Azimio coalition endorsed ODM leader Raila Odinga, 77, as its presidential flagbearer in the August 9th elections.

Odinga, who is giving his fifth stab at the presidency, also bagged the support of President Kenyatta whose second and final term expires after the upcoming elections.