Uhuru Officially Hands Over Jubilee Party to Fred Matiang’i

Uhuru Officially Hands Over Jubilee Party to Fred Matiang’i

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has handed over the leadership of the Jubilee Party to his deputy, Fred Matiang’i, in a transition that comes as the party reorganises its leadership ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The handover took place in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 22, following deliberations by the Jubilee National Executive Council. Matiang’i will take over the party leadership pending formal approval by the National Delegates Convention (NDC).

Speaking during the meeting, Uhuru said he had decided to allow his deputy to take charge of the party while preparations for the NDC continue.

“While we wait for NDC, I have decided to let my deputy take over the party leadership. I want to ask you respectfully to accept Fred Matiang’i to take the position of Jubilee party leader.”

Uhuru, who has led Jubilee since its formation, said he would remain an active member of the party but would no longer occupy the formal leadership position.

“I am still in Jubilee. I will be a senior member of the party and will be offering advisory services.”

The transition follows a High Court ruling delivered on September 14 by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, which upheld a provision restricting retired presidents from holding leadership positions in political parties beyond six months after leaving State House. Uhuru subsequently agreed to facilitate the leadership transition, saying the ruling provided the legal clarity required to complete the process.

However, a separate High Court judgment delivered on September 21 by Justice Bahati Mwamuye declared Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act unconstitutional and void. The two decisions have created differing High Court positions on the restrictions affecting former presidents and political party leadership.

Despite the later ruling, Uhuru proceeded with the leadership transition on Tuesday, paving the way for Matiang’i to assume a more prominent role in Jubilee.

Matiang’i, a former Interior Cabinet Secretary who served under Uhuru, accepted the responsibility and pledged to build on the former president’s leadership of the party.

“The way you have trusted me, I want to promise you, sir, that I will never let you down.”

The former Cabinet Secretary has been serving as one of Jubilee’s deputy party leaders and was previously endorsed by the party as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election.

The leadership transition had been preceded by internal discussions over who should succeed Uhuru. Former Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni had also expressed interest in taking over the party leadership, calling for an open and transparent process.

Jubilee is now expected to proceed with preparations for its National Delegates Convention, which will determine the formal structure of the party’s leadership.

The changes come at a significant time for the former ruling party as political parties across Kenya reorganise ahead of the 2027 polls. Jubilee has been undergoing internal restructuring while several political formations continue consultations over possible alliances and electoral arrangements.

For Uhuru, the handover does not mark his departure from Jubilee. His statement indicates that he intends to remain involved as a senior member and adviser, while Matiang’i takes responsibility for the party’s formal leadership.

The transition therefore

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Uhuru Officially Hands Over Jubilee Party to Fred Matiang’i