Former President Uhuru Kenyatta speaking during the handover of the Jubilee Party leadership on September 22, 2026 / ScreengrabFormer President Uhuru Kenyatta has handed over the leadership of the Jubilee Party to his deputy, Fred Matiang’i, as the party prepares for its National Delegates Convention (NDC).
However, Uhuru said he will remain in the Jubilee Party, ruling out plans to totally leave the party as it prepares for the 2027 General Election.
“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 stated.
Uhuru said he considers Jubilee his political home and wants to remain involved in the party’s affairs even after stepping down from his current leadership role.
Speaking during the handover of the Jubilee Party leadership, Uhuru said he plans to take up a senior advisory role within the party, where he will continue supporting its leaders and advising on political matters.
“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? I want to take the top seat and be there as a senior advisor. When people come and they want to see me, I am still there, but when there is a meeting, I will be seated somewhere with you,” Uhuru said.
Uhuru said the party should begin early preparations for the 2027 General Election, including planning for its leadership and strategy.
“When I am a senior adviser, and as we wait for the NDC, I think my deputy should take my role as the party leader. Together, we can start planning for the upcoming 2027 general elections,” he said.
The development comes as Jubilee begins preparations for a leadership transition following a High Court ruling that bars retired presidents from holding leadership positions in political parties beyond six months after leaving office
Uhuru also hit back at President William Ruto over the repeated criticism of his administration, telling the Head of State to focus on governing the country instead of blaming him.
Uhuru was speaking during the handover of the Jubilee Party leadership, days after the High Court upheld a law barring retired presidents from holding formal leadership positions in political parties more than six months after leaving office.
The former president questioned why Ruto continued to invoke his name nearly four years into his administration, arguing that the President had been elected to serve Kenyans.
“When the court said they won, did you see us fight? We gave them all instruments of power in broad daylight. It was not at night; there was no war,” Uhuru said.
“And after four years, he is still saying Uhuru this, Uhuru that. Were you given leadership so that you continue to talk about Uhuru? Or were you given leadership to serve Kenyans?”
Uhuru said leaders often resorted to finding someone to blame when things were not going as expected, but warned that Kenyans could distinguish between explanations and the reality they were experiencing.
