Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta at Jubilee Party a past Jubilee Party meeting. Photo/HANDOUT
The decision by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta to resign as chairperson of the Azimio la Umoja Council has raised questions about whether he has finally retired from active politics.
Uhuru announced his decision on Wednesday in a letter dated October 5, 2026, addressed to Azimio party leader, co-principals, the National Steering Committee and members of the coalition.
Ukombozi Alliance Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka confirmed that the coalition had received Uhuru’s resignation and thanked the former president for his leadership.
“We have received President Kenyatta’s letter of 5th October 2026, in which he resigns from his leadership position within the coalition with immediate effect,” Kalonzo said.
Uhuru said his decision should not be interpreted as abandoning the coalition or the political journey that led to the formation of Azimio.
“This decision is not a departure from our shared political journey, but a necessary step in the continuous renewal of our democratic institutions,” Uhuru said.
However, as the former president appears to take a back seat in national politics, political analysts who spoke to The Star have expressed doubts about the circumstances surrounding his move.
Political analyst Martin Andati said Uhuru had been compelled to resign by circumstances and a court decision, although he believed the move was long overdue.
“He [Uhuru] has been forced by circumstances and the court to quit, although it was long overdue,” Andati said.
“He is now not going to be involved in the day-to-day decisions of the coalition,” he added.
Since retiring as Kenya’s President in 2022, Uhuru has been leading the Jubilee Party.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta hands over Jubilee Party leadership to former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i. /HANDOUTHowever, 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 considered 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.
The move followed a High Court judgement delivered on September 14 by Justice Lawrence Mugambi.
The court ruled that while a retired president is legally barred from holding a formal executive position within the Jubilee Party, he is free to remain a member and participate in the party’s political activities.
Matiang’i has also been endorsed by the party as its presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election.
As Uhuru makes another move away from formal party and coalition leadership, political analyst Kigotho Mwangi said it would have been wise for him to resolve the leadership question within Jubilee.
“There still appears to be a leadership tussle at Jubilee, after Matiang’i’s elevation as its party leader,” Kigotho told The Star.
On Wednesday, Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni said he had sought to be considered for the party leadership but was disappointed after Uhuru endorsed Matiang’i for the position, positioning him to lead the party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“I had already put in my request to be considered for the position of party leader of Jubilee, and that’s in keeping with politics. The fact that it did not come to me, I was disappointed, of course, because in politics, when you aspire for something, you don’t get it, you are disappointed,” Kioni said.
