Uhuru Kenyatta chairs first NEC meeting since regaining control of Jubilee

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday led the Jubilee Party in a meeting, signalling his reemergence in the political arena as realignments ahead of the 2027 election contest intensify.

Kenyatta virtually chaired the Jubilee Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the first since he regained control of the party.

Although the party’s Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni failed to disclose the details of the highly publicised meeting, The Eastleigh Voice has learnt that it was geared toward aligning the party for the forthcoming by-elections, party recruitment drives and possible coalition with other parties.

According to the party’s strategist, Pauline Njoroge, the meeting also marked a significant step in reaffirming the Jubilee Party’s ideals, strategic direction, and internal unity.

Njoroge added that further information regarding the outcome of the NEC meeting will be communicated by Kioni in due course.

“At a time of dynamic political realignments, the Party remains steadfast in its role within the opposition, committed to championing the interests of the people and upholding democratic principles,” said Njoroge in a statement.

It comes weeks after the former president officially reclaimed leadership following an attempt by a faction led by the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Kanini Kega and nominated MP Sabina Chege to take over the party.

In a special gazette notice dated June 30, 2025, the Registrar of Political Parties reaffirmed Kenyatta as the Jubilee Party Leader.

“Following the Consent Order in High Court Civil Appeal No. E1016 of 2023 — Jubilee Party vs Internal Disputes Resolution Committee & Others — the Jubilee Party National Delegates Conference (NDC) of May 22, 2023, the resignations of three persons elected to various offices after the National Delegates Conference election, and in exercise of the power conferred by section 20(1)(c) of the Political Parties Act, the Registrar of Political Parties gives notice that Jubilee Party intends to make changes to its party officials as follows,” read part of the notice.

The notice also confirmed that officials chosen during the Special National Delegates Convention (SNDC) held on May 22, 2023, were duly elected.

Besides Kenyatta, the ORPP’s decision brought relief to Kioni and Deputy National Chairperson David Murathe, who were forcefully ousted from their positions, prompting them to seek legal redress.

The retired president, alongside Kioni and Murathe, were reinstated after a prolonged legal battle, which concluded with a High Court ruling on September 30, 2024.

The leadership conflict began when a faction led by Kega and Chege attempted to take over the party.

In May 2023, the group expelled Kioni and Murathe and suspended National Treasurer Kagwe Gichohi, citing misconduct and failure to discharge party duties. They also removed Kenyatta as party leader and named Chege as acting leader.

Initially, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) sided with Kega’s faction in a ruling delivered on July 10, 2023, confirming Kega as Secretary-General and upholding the expulsions.

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However, High Court Judge Janet Mulwa later overturned the decision. She ruled that the February 10, 2023, NEC meeting — which led to the expulsions — was not legally constituted and contravened the Jubilee Party constitution.

Reports, meanwhile, indicate that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i could be tapped to vie for the presidency on the Jubilee Party ticket come 2027. Kioni and other party insiders have been warming towards Matiang’i, who has, however, asserted that he has not settled on any political outfit for now.