Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i has suffered a setback after the Registrar of Political Parties declined to approve proposed leadership changes within the Jubilee Party.
The decision affects plans that would have formally installed Matiang’i as the party’s deputy leader and strengthened his position ahead of the 2027 General Election. Jubilee had also identified him as its preferred presidential candidate.
The dispute emerged after former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu lodged an objection challenging the legality and procedure used to implement the changes.
In a letter dated April 28, Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou halted the implementation of the changes published in Gazette Notice No. 5749 dated April 7, 2026. The letter was addressed to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who remains the Jubilee Party leader.
The latest development now threatens to reopen internal disagreements within Jubilee as the former ruling party attempts to reorganise itself ahead of the next general election.
The standoff also comes at a politically sensitive moment for Uhuru, who has recently faced criticism from Kenya Kwanza leaders accusing him of remaining actively involved in politics despite his retirement from office. Some leaders have even called for the review of his retirement benefits over the claims.
For Matiang’i, the delay complicates efforts to formally establish himself within Jubilee’s leadership structure as political alignments continue taking shape ahead of 2027.
The Registrar’s office is expected to review the objections raised before making a final determination on whether the proposed party changes can proceed.
