Jubilee Party Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni has offered himself to succeed retired President Uhuru Kenyatta as the party’s leader, calling for an open and democratic leadership transition.

Kioni made the announcement on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, shortly after Kenyatta said he was ready to hand over the leadership of the Jubilee Party following a recent High Court ruling.

The ruling, delivered by Justice Lawrence Mugambi in Petition No. E532 of 2024, concerns a law restricting retired presidents from holding leadership positions in political parties more than six months after leaving office.

In a statement, Kioni said he was responding to Kenyatta’s call for the leadership transition to be conducted openly and in accordance with the law and Jubilee Party’s constitution.

“I hereby offer myself for the position of Party Leader of the great Jubilee Party,” Kioni said, according to his statement.

Former president Uhuru Kenyatta has indicated that he is prepared to relinquish his position as Jubilee Party leader following the court ruling.

In a statement issued through his Communications Secretary Kanze Dena, the former president welcomed the judgment, describing it as a reaffirmation of Kenya’s democratic maturity.

Kenyatta said the delay in handing over the party leadership was not caused by reluctance but followed an internal leadership dispute that lasted for more than a year.

The dispute involved nominated MP Sabina Chege and East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega, among others.

Kenyatta eventually retained control of the party in March 2025.

“With the court’s guidance, that path is now clear,” Kenyatta said in the statement, adding that he was ready to ensure the transition was completed openly, lawfully and in line with the Jubilee Party constitution.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi ruled on the restriction on retired presidents holding political party leadership positions after leaving State House.

The ruling does not prevent retired presidents from remaining members of political parties or participating in political activities.

Instead, it limits their ability to hold party leadership positions beyond six months after retirement.

The development also affects Kenyatta’s role as chairperson of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Council, although that position is separate from his role as Jubilee Party leader.

Kenyatta has remained involved in Azimio’s political activities as the coalition prepares for the 2027 General Election.

                                                                                                                  APERIT FM, HII NI YETU