Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has definitively re-established himself as the paramount leader of the Jubilee Party, a move that is reshaping the political chessboard ahead of the 2027 General Election. The formal end to the long-standing leadership dispute and the immediate political maneuvers that followed signal Jubilee's intent to be a major player in the next electoral cycle.
The Legal and Political Victory
The internal wrangles that had paralyzed the former ruling party for nearly two years came to a head when the High Court upheld the resolutions of the Jubilee Party's Special National Delegates Convention (SNDC) held in May 2023. This ruling cemented Kenyatta’s leadership and formally reinstated his close allies, including Jeremiah Kioni as the Secretary-General and Saitoti Torome as the new National Chairman, effectively sidelining the rival faction.
The legal victory was quickly followed by a public display of unity:
- SNDC Showcase: Just days after the court ruling, Kenyatta chaired a high-profile Jubilee Party National Delegates Convention (NDC), making a rare public appearance alongside former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i.
Matiang’i’s Presidential Bid on Jubilee Ticket
The most significant development following the NDC is the clear alignment of the Jubilee Party with Dr. Fred Matiang'i's presidential ambitions.
- Official Declaration: Matiang'i, who served as one of the most powerful Cabinet Secretaries in Kenyatta's administration, has officially declared his intention to vie for the presidency on a Jubilee Party ticket. This announcement, made in Nakuru County, signals the party’s direction and provides a formidable candidate for the opposition.
- The Kenyatta Blessing: Matiang'i’s presence at the NDC and his subsequent declaration is widely interpreted as a political anointing by the former President, positioning the Jubilee Party at the center of the opposition's efforts to challenge the incumbent administration in 2027.
Kenyatta’s Divided Elder-Statesman Role
Uhuru Kenyatta’s return to the active helm of the party has sparked a fierce debate on his post-presidency role.
- Return to Active Politics: By taking charge of the party, Kenyatta has broken from the Kenyan tradition set by his predecessors, Moi and Kibaki, who adopted a more silent, elder-statesman role after retirement. Proponents argue he is young and constitutionally permitted to participate in the country's political discourse, and they support his right to critique the current administration for allegedly eroding his legacy.
- A Divided Legacy: Critics, including some leaders from the Jubilee Party's splinter faction and allies of the current government, urge Kenyatta to step back and avoid attracting "unwarranted political attacks" that they believe might tarnish his legacy and the dignity of the former Head of State's office.
- Protecting the Legacy: Kenyatta's active involvement is seen by his allies as a necessary measure to protect the achievements of his decade in power, particularly the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and his development agenda, which he accuses the current government of undermining.
In summary, the Jubilee Party, under the renewed and active leadership of Uhuru Kenyatta, is repositioning itself as a revitalized political force. By officially aligning itself with the presidential bid of Fred Matiang'i, the party has fired the opening shot in what promises to be an intensely competitive 2027 election cycle
