Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee Party have cleared the path for former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i to run for president on the party’s ticket in the 2027 general election.
The move follows radical amendments to the party’s constitution that were endorsed during a special National Delegates Conference (NDC) at the Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on Friday.
At the heart of the changes is a provision allowing any party member—not just the party leader—to be the presidential flagbearer.
“One of our missions today was to pass amendments to our party’s constitution,” Uhuru, who remains the party leader, told delegates after the changes were unanimously ratified.
Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni explained that the constitution previously tied the presidential ticket to the party leader, a position Uhuru cannot hold since he is barred from contesting after serving the constitutional two terms.
“Our party leader cannot run for president because the law does not allow him. These amendments ensure we can have both a party leader and a presidential candidate,” Kioni said.
“So, we must also allow if we can have the president and our party leader there. We want to make sure that no one leaves our party.”
Uhuru served the maximum of two terms as president as provided for in the constitution. He is therefore barred from contesting for the seat.
The move by the party clears the path for Matiang’i to seize the party’s presidential flag in the next polls.
“We are here to see your approval to put in place measures to rejuvenate our party and set in motion a process of injecting new blood into our party structures and hierarchy,” he said.
Matiang’i attended the meeting and sat next to Uhuru in a symbolic gesture of his high status in the party.
In a clear indication that Matiang’i has joined the outfit, Kioni said those who attended the meeting were duly members of the party.
“Last time, we were taken to court on the grounds that we had strangers in our NDC. Today, everyone who is here, maybe apart from these cameramen, are all members of Jubilee,” Kioni said.
Matiang’i has emerged as one of the leading contenders for the country’s top seat in the next polls.
Known for his tough stance on security, governance and public service reform, Matiang’i was one of the most influential figures in the Uhuru Cabinet.
His reputation as a decisive and effective administrator has amplified the calls for his return to the national stage.
In the Jubilee changes, the party also announced radical changes to its internal dispute resolution committee and the national elections board in readiness for the polls.
In addition, the party created a new organ, the central management committee, to run the affairs of the party and make crucial decisions.
“We must make sure the dispute resolution committee is recognised by everybody in the party,” Kioni said.
According to Uhuru and Kioni, the changes are meant to strengthen the structures of the party and safeguard it from being taken away by errant members.
“These amendments will ensure that the machinations of the past shall not be used again to hold back our progress,” Uhuru said.
Uhuru announced he will embark on massive membership recruitment drive and "meet-the-people” tour, which he said he would personally oversee.
The campaign will see the former President travel to different counties, including rural areas, to engage directly with party supporters and local communities.
“I will now dedicate myself because we said we want to start a recruitment drive and begin travelling to the grassroots. In every area, let us meet with you and talk together,” he said.
Looking ahead to 2027, Uhuru promised that Jubilee would field candidates in all elective seats, underlining the party’s ambition to remain a dominant force in Kenya’s political landscape.
The nationwide engagement plan is expected to start in the coming weeks, with Uhuru leading the drive personally, signalling his continued clout within Jubilee and his commitment to shaping the party’s direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
Uhuru reiterated the party remains in the moribund Azimio coalition, but the party members would decide it remains there or pulls out ahead of the polls.
“Notwithstanding these changes, the party, as per the decisions of our organs, remains a member of what is left of this coalition, and any decision on whether to reinvest in it or leave it will be a decision for the party’s leadership to take when the time comes,” he said.
The former President took a swipe at President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of eroding the gains realised during his tenure.
“After handing over the reins of state to a new administration in a peaceful and orderly manner, as you all witnessed, I expected the same for our party. Unfortunately, this was not to be,” he said.
He particularly accused the government of scrapping the Linda Mama Programme and introducing SHA, which is said is still under experiment.
Uhuru went on to present what he described as a scorecard of his administration.
He cited the successful implementation of the new constitution, improved national connectivity, a doubling of tarmacked roads, and an increase in electricity access from 35 per cent to more than 75 per cent.
He also listed the standard gauge railway, the Lamu Port, and the Kisumu Port as key infrastructure milestones.
In education, he noted the restoration of the integrity of national exams, alongside the continuation of free primary and day secondary education.
He further highlighted reforms in the security sector, saying they contributed to greater stability during his presidency.
“I can go on and on, but that is for another day,” Uhuru said, further admitting that there were also challenges, key among them “war against corruption in government that was less than successful”.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced plans to embark on a nationwide "meet-the-people” tour, signalling his renewed involvement in the Jubilee Party’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. The campaign will see the former President travel to different counties, including rural areas, to engage directly with party supporters and local communities.
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