Azimio leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has said a High Court ruling on political party leadership by retired presidents does not prevent retired President Uhuru Kenyatta from belonging to a political party or participating in its activities.
Kalonzo said the judgment delivered by Justice Lawrence Mugambi only restricts a retired President from holding a political party leadership position beyond six months after leaving office.
He said Uhuru’s decision to accept the judgment and relinquish his position as Jubilee Party leader demonstrated the statesmanship Kenyans had long associated with the former President.
“We welcome this position. His readiness to comply forthwith with the finding of the court reflects the statesmanship Kenyans have long associated with him, and it sets a standard we would wish to see observed across our politics,” Kalonzo said in a statement Tuesday.
He said the succession of the Jubilee Party leadership was a matter for the party’s own organs and expressed confidence that the process would be conducted in an orderly and lawful manner.
Kalonzo, however, distinguished Uhuru’s position as Jubilee Party leader from his role as chairman of the Council of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party.
He said the coalition would independently consider the implications of the judgment on Uhuru’s position within Azimio and make any necessary changes in accordance with the law and its internal agreements.
“The second concerns the Chairmanship of the Council of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, a distinct office in a distinct institution, which falls to be considered by the organs of this coalition,” Kalonzo said.
He announced that he would convene a joint session of the Azimio Council and the National Executive Committee to consider the matter, with the outcome to be communicated to Kenyans.
Kalonzo said the coalition would be guided by the High Court judgment, the Political Parties Act, the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, its constitution and the Deed of Agreement.
He also said the ruling did not prevent Uhuru from remaining politically involved, arguing that the former President remained a member of the Azimio movement whose counsel would continue to be sought.
“The law speaks to the holding of office. It does not speak to belonging,” Kalonzo said.
He said Justice Mugambi had distinguished between holding a formal party position and political participation, preserving Uhuru’s rights under Articles 36 and 38 of the Constitution.
According to Kalonzo, the court had found the statutory restriction proportionate under Article 24 while affirming that a retired President was not excluded from political life.
“Jubilee Party remains a valued member of this coalition party, and President Kenyatta remains a member of our movement whose counsel we shall continue to seek,” he said.
The Azimio leader also announced plans for a comprehensive rebranding of the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He said the coalition would renew its structures, policy platform and public engagement in an effort to present a more revitalised and inclusive political vehicle.
“As President Kenyatta said, he ‘welcomes this new chapter’ - and so do we,” Kalonzo said.
Uhuru announced his decision to relinquish the Jubilee leadership after the High Court ruled that former presidents cannot continue holding leadership positions in political parties beyond the period provided by law.
