Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to relinquish his position as Jubilee Party leader, bringing an end to his formal leadership of the party after continuing in the role for about four years since leaving State House in 2022.
The development follows a recent High Court ruling affirming legal restrictions on retired presidents holding formal leadership positions in political parties beyond six months after leaving office.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi upheld Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, which limits a retired president from holding a leadership position in a political party after the stipulated six-month period. The ruling, however, does not prevent a retired president from remaining a party member or participating in political activities.
Uhuru accepts court decision
Through his office, Kenyatta said he had taken note of the court's decision and was prepared to facilitate the handover of Jubilee Party leadership.
His office said the ruling had provided the legal clarity necessary to resolve a leadership transition that had been delayed by an internal dispute. Kenyatta also indicated that the handover would be conducted openly, lawfully and in accordance with Jubilee's constitution.
The former president has previously maintained that his continued involvement in Jubilee was aimed at guiding the party through a transition and reorganisation process rather than pursuing a return to elective office. In May 2026, he told Jubilee delegates in Kiambu that he was overseeing the process of handing over the party to new leadership.
Leadership succession now in focus
Kenyatta's departure from the formal party leadership has immediately opened a new phase for Jubilee, particularly as political parties prepare for the 2027 General Election.
Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni has already declared his interest in succeeding Kenyatta. Kioni said he would seek the position through the party's constitution and established democratic procedures, with the National Delegates Convention expected to play a role in determining the next party leader.
Kioni has called for an open and transparent transition, arguing that Jubilee's leadership should be determined through the party's internal democratic structures rather than through an appointment.
What Uhuru's exit means for Jubilee
The transition comes at a significant period for Jubilee Party, which has undergone internal restructuring and repositioning since the 2022 General Election.
Kenyatta became the face of Jubilee after the party was formed in 2016/2017 through the merger of several political parties and went on to serve as Kenya's President from 2013 to 2022. He retained the Jubilee leadership after leaving State House, making the current transition a notable change in the party's post-government era.
The former president's departure from the formal party leadership does not, however, amount to a prohibition on his participation in political activities. The High Court ruling allows retired presidents to remain members of political parties and participate in political affairs, subject to the restrictions on holding formal party office.
A new chapter for Jubilee
The immediate focus is now on how Jubilee will complete the leadership transition and who will ultimately take over from Kenyatta.
The party's next leadership arrangement could also influence its organisation and political positioning ahead of the 2027 elections. With Kioni having publicly expressed interest in the position, attention is expected to turn to the party's internal processes and the wider field of leaders who may seek senior positions.
For Jubilee, the transition marks the end of Uhuru Kenyatta's formal tenure at the top of the party and the beginning of a new leadership chapter.
The development follows a recent High Court ruling affirming legal restrictions on retired presidents holding formal leadership positions in political parties beyond six months after leaving office.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi upheld Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, which limits a retired president from holding a leadership position in a political party after the stipulated six-month period. The ruling, however, does not prevent a retired president from remaining a party member or participating in political activities.
Uhuru accepts court decision
Through his office, Kenyatta said he had taken note of the court's decision and was prepared to facilitate the handover of Jubilee Party leadership.
His office said the ruling had provided the legal clarity necessary to resolve a leadership transition that had been delayed by an internal dispute. Kenyatta also indicated that the handover would be conducted openly, lawfully and in accordance with Jubilee's constitution.
The former president has previously maintained that his continued involvement in Jubilee was aimed at guiding the party through a transition and reorganisation process rather than pursuing a return to elective office. In May 2026, he told Jubilee delegates in Kiambu that he was overseeing the process of handing over the party to new leadership.
Leadership succession now in focus
Kenyatta's departure from the formal party leadership has immediately opened a new phase for Jubilee, particularly as political parties prepare for the 2027 General Election.
Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni has already declared his interest in succeeding Kenyatta. Kioni said he would seek the position through the party's constitution and established democratic procedures, with the National Delegates Convention expected to play a role in determining the next party leader.
Kioni has called for an open and transparent transition, arguing that Jubilee's leadership should be determined through the party's internal democratic structures rather than through an appointment.
What Uhuru's exit means for Jubilee
The transition comes at a significant period for Jubilee Party, which has undergone internal restructuring and repositioning since the 2022 General Election.
Kenyatta became the face of Jubilee after the party was formed in 2016/2017 through the merger of several political parties and went on to serve as Kenya's President from 2013 to 2022. He retained the Jubilee leadership after leaving State House, making the current transition a notable change in the party's post-government era.
The former president's departure from the formal party leadership does not, however, amount to a prohibition on his participation in political activities. The High Court ruling allows retired presidents to remain members of political parties and participate in political affairs, subject to the restrictions on holding formal party office.
A new chapter for Jubilee
The immediate focus is now on how Jubilee will complete the leadership transition and who will ultimately take over from Kenyatta.
The party's next leadership arrangement could also influence its organisation and political positioning ahead of the 2027 elections. With Kioni having publicly expressed interest in the position, attention is expected to turn to the party's internal processes and the wider field of leaders who may seek senior positions.
For Jubilee, the transition marks the end of Uhuru Kenyatta's formal tenure at the top of the party and the beginning of a new leadership chapter.
