Jubilee Power Struggle Deepens Ahead of Delegates Convention
A leadership battle is emerging within the Jubilee Party as rival factions position themselves for control of the party ahead of its upcoming National Delegates Convention.
A leadership battle is emerging within the Jubilee Party as rival factions position themselves for control of the party ahead of its upcoming National Delegates Convention.
The dispute has gained momentum following the transition of leadership from former President Uhuru Kenyatta to former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, with different groups seeking to influence the direction of the party ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Jubilee has remained an important political vehicle in the Mt Kenya region, where competing political formations are seeking to consolidate support ahead of the next General Election.
The latest contest centres on the party’s leadership, political strategy and the question of how Jubilee should position itself within the wider opposition landscape.
Matiang’i has emerged as a key figure in the party after Uhuru handed over its leadership. His supporters are pushing for the party to strengthen its structures and prepare for the 2027 political contest.
However, another faction associated with party officials, including Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni, has continued to assert its position within Jubilee.
Kioni has maintained that Mt Kenya should not be reduced to a single political party and has defended the importance of multiparty politics in the region.
The internal differences come at a time when several political formations are competing for influence in Mt Kenya.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Jubilee are among the parties seeking support in the region.
The recent court ruling allowing Uhuru Kenyatta greater freedom to engage in political activities has also added another dimension to the Jubilee contest. The ruling declared provisions restricting a retired president from political activity unconstitutional, null and void.
Uhuru’s possible return to active politics has generated renewed attention around Jubilee and its political machinery.
The former President has previously been associated with efforts to build an opposition alliance ahead of 2027, while Jubilee has endorsed Fred Matiang’i as its presidential candidate.
The party’s role in the wider opposition arrangement is also becoming increasingly significant as different political groups negotiate possible alliances.
Jubilee’s internal contest is taking place against the backdrop of a broader struggle for political influence in Mt Kenya.
Different leaders have offered competing approaches on whether the region should rally behind one political vehicle or maintain several parties that can negotiate independently.
Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni has argued that the region should preserve multiparty democracy rather than be tied to a single political party.
At the same time, other political actors have been advocating for greater political consolidation as they seek to strengthen their bargaining position ahead of 2027.
The party’s performance in recent political contests has also become part of the debate over its future.
In the July 2026 Ol Kalou by-election, Jubilee’s candidate received 198 votes, while DCP won 85 per cent of the valid votes cast and UDA came second with 15 per cent.
The results have contributed to discussions about Jubilee’s grassroots presence and its ability to rebuild its political support.
As the delegates convention approaches, attention will focus on whether the competing factions can reach an agreement on leadership and the party’s strategy or whether the internal divisions will continue.
The outcome could have implications for Jubilee’s role in the broader opposition politics and its relationship with other parties ahead of the 2027 General Election.
For now, the battle for control of Jubilee remains closely linked to the wider competition over political influence in Mt Kenya and the formation of alliances ahead of the next election.
