Jubilee Party Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni has declared his interest in taking over as party leader following former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s decision to relinquish the position in compliance with a High Court ruling.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Kioni said he was offering himself for the position and would seek to be elected in accordance with the party’s constitution and established procedures.
“In light of His Excellency’s call for an open, transparent, and lawful process of handing over the leadership of the party, I hereby offer myself for the position of Party Leader of the great Jubilee Party, in accordance with the party’s constitution, processes and procedures,” Kioni said.
His declaration came shortly after Uhuru said he was ready to hand over the Jubilee Party leadership following the High Court ruling delivered by Justice Lawrence Mugambi.
Kioni said the transition should respect Jubilee’s internal democratic processes, arguing that party leaders should be elected rather than installed.
“Jubilee is a national party and a former ruling party. As such, our leaders are not installed, they are elected by the party delegates at the National Delegates Convention (NDC),” he said.
Kioni said the tradition of electing party leaders through the National Delegates Convention had been central to Jubilee’s operations since its formation and should guide the current transition.
“It is this democratic tradition that has defined Jubilee since its founding, and it is this tradition that must guide us now,” he said.
The statement places Kioni among the potential contenders for the Jubilee Party leadership as the party begins preparations for the transition following Uhuru’s decision to relinquish the position.
Kioni also paid tribute to Uhuru for his leadership of Jubilee and acknowledged his role in building the party and guiding its members.
“I take this opportunity to thank H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta for his leadership of our party and, before that, of our nation,” Kioni said.
He said Uhuru’s contribution to Jubilee could not be overstated and expressed confidence that the former President would continue providing guidance to the party during the transition.
“His contribution to building Jubilee into the formidable movement it remains today cannot be overstated, and I trust that he will continue to guide us wisely through this transition,” he said.
Kioni’s declaration comes at a significant moment for Jubilee, which is preparing for a leadership change as the country’s political parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Deputy Party Leader said he would engage Jubilee members and delegates across the country as the party charts its next phase.
“I look forward to engaging with our members and delegates across the country in the days ahead, as we chart the next chapter for our party together,” he said.
The leadership transition follows a High Court ruling on the continued holding of formal political party leadership positions by retired presidents.
Uhuru subsequently stated that he was ready to facilitate an open, lawful and constitutional handover of the Jubilee leadership.
Kioni has now called for that process to be conducted through Jubilee’s established structures, with the National Delegates Convention playing the central role in determining the party’s next leader.
His declaration is likely to set the stage for an internal contest as Jubilee prepares to convene its delegates and undertake the leadership transition.
The process will also provide an opportunity for Jubilee members to determine the party’s direction as it seeks to strengthen its structures and define its political role ahead of the 2027 elections.