MATIANG’I AT THE HELM AS UHURU HANDS OVER JUBILEE LEADERSHIP AHEAD OF NDC

Speaking during a meeting with Jubilee officials in Nairobi, Kenyatta asked party members to accept Matiang’i as the new party leader on an interim basis pending formal confirmation by the NDC. “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,” Kenyatta said.

The former president made clear that he was not leaving the party. He described Jubilee as his political home and said he would continue serving as a senior adviser. “I am still in Jubilee. I will be a senior member of the party and will be offering advisory services,” he stated. “I cannot leave Jubilee Party; I leave the party and go where? Do I have another house? Is it not this one that we built together?”



Kenyatta explained that the transition would allow the party to begin early preparations for the 2027 elections. He expressed confidence in Matiang’i, describing him as an intelligent and honest leader who delivers results without engaging in unnecessary conflict.

Matiang’i, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee’s endorsed presidential candidate for 2027, accepted the role with humility. “Your Excellency, with humility, I accept the appointment to oversee the Jubilee Party as the party leader,” he said. He described the moment as emotional, noting that he had never expected to take over from the former president he had served under in government. Matiang’i pledged to continue the party’s journey along the path set by Kenyatta and called for unity as Jubilee reorganises its structures.



The handover follows a High Court ruling that barred retired presidents from holding formal political party leadership positions beyond six months after leaving office, in line with Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act. The court clarified that retired presidents may remain party members and participate in political activities but cannot occupy official leadership posts indefinitely.

Matiang’i had been serving as one of Jubilee’s deputy party leaders alongside Jeremiah Kioni. Kioni had earlier offered himself for the party leadership, arguing that the position should be decided by delegates at the NDC rather than through appointment. Some party figures, including former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, publicly preferred Kioni for the leadership role while supporting Matiang’i as the presidential candidate. Wambugu said he would accept the interim arrangement until the NDC.

The transition elevates Matiang’i to the centre of Jubilee’s strategy as the former ruling party seeks to rebuild its national appeal and position itself for the next general election. Party officials indicated that the NDC would formalise the leadership structure and chart the way forward.

Kenyatta’s decision ends his formal tenure at the helm of Jubilee while keeping him involved in an advisory capacity. Matiang’i now assumes responsibility for steering the party through the critical period leading to the NDC and the 2027 polls.