Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta speaks during a Jubilee Party meeting/SCREENGRABRetired President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged Jubilee Party leaders to end internal squabbles and begin recruiting candidates for elective positions from ward representatives to the presidency ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Uhuru said Jubilee must prepare early for the elections and field candidates across the country while working with like-minded parties to build a broader political alliance.
He 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 for more than six months after leaving office.
“As we enter into the electioneering period, we must prepare early for the elections, and because of that we must get ready as Jubilee Party,” Uhuru said.
The retired president made it clear that he would not seek an elective position in the 2027 elections but said Jubilee would field candidates at various levels.
“I will not be contesting for any seat but Jubilee will be fielding candidates. We must do what other parties are doing,” he said.
Uhuru challenged Jubilee officials to move away from internal disagreements and focus on identifying candidates who can carry the party's agenda across the country.
“Let us not have internal squabbles. Let us go hunt for MCA aspirants, Governor aspirants, Senators, MPs, and we have our candidate Matiang’i. That is my request to you today,” he said.
He also endorsed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as Jubilee's presidential candidate, describing him as a person with wisdom, integrity and a strong work ethic.
“Matiang’i is our candidate. He has wisdom, not corrupt, hardworking,” Uhuru said.
He further expressed his desire to see Matiang’i take over the leadership of Jubilee, subject to the party's National Delegates Convention (NDC), and use the position to bring together leaders from different political formations.
“As we wait for the NDC, I want Matiang’i to take the party leadership position and then he unites with other leaders,” he said.
Uhuru said Jubilee should engage other political parties and pursue cooperation with formations that share its vision for the country.
“As Jubilee, we respect other parties and we want to work together with like-minded parties with the view of changing Kenya and moving the country forward with the people united,” he said.
He said the party's campaign should focus on presenting its policies and explaining to voters what it intends to deliver rather than attacking political opponents.
“We should not insult other people. Sell your manifesto. Tell Kenyans what you will do for them,” Uhuru said.
He also pledged to campaign alongside Jubilee candidates during the election period, saying he would traverse the country to mobilise support for the party's candidates.
“And I will be with you asking for votes and we will go to all corners of the country,” he said.
Uhuru said Jubilee's objective should be to build a political movement capable of giving Kenyans confidence in their country and bringing citizens together.
“We want Kenyans to be proud of their country,” he said.
The former president's endorsement of Matiang’i places the former Interior CS at the centre of Jubilee's preparations for the 2027 elections, even as opposition parties continue discussions on possible cooperation and a joint presidential candidate.
The High Court ruling that triggered the Jubilee leadership transition allows retired presidents to remain members of political parties and participate in political activities, while restricting them from holding formal party office beyond the stipulated period.
