Jubilee Party Deputy Party Leader in charge of Operations Jeremiah Kioni has expressed interest in succeeding retired President Uhuru Kenyatta as the party’s leader following Uhuru’s decision to facilitate the leadership transition.
Kioni made his intentions known on Tuesday, September 15, after Uhuru indicated that he was willing to hand over the leadership of the Jubilee Party in line with a recent High Court ruling.
The former Ndaragwa lawmaker said he was ready to contest the party leadership position through the processes and procedures provided for in the Jubilee Party constitution.
Jubilee Party Deputy Party Leader in charge of Operations Jeremiah Kioni. Photo: Courtesy.
Kioni maintained that the next Jubilee Party leader should be chosen through the party’s established democratic structures rather than being appointed.
He pointed to the Jubilee Party National Delegates Convention (NDC) as the body responsible for determining who will take over from Uhuru.
According to Kioni, Jubilee’s history as a national and former ruling party requires its leadership to be decided by delegates through an established electoral process.
He also praised Uhuru for his contribution to the development of the Jubilee Party and his leadership of the country.
Kioni expressed confidence that Uhuru would continue providing guidance to the party during the transition despite relinquishing his formal leadership position.
Uhuru’s office announced on Tuesday that the former President would pave the way for the handover of the Jubilee Party chairmanship following a High Court ruling upholding Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act.
The ruling provides legal clarity on the transition of retired presidents from formal leadership positions in political parties.
Uhuru welcomed the decision, maintaining that the ruling should not be viewed as a restriction on his political activities but as an indication of Kenya’s democratic maturity.
The former President also expressed readiness to facilitate the leadership handover in accordance with the law and Jubilee Party’s governing framework.
The development sets the stage for a leadership contest within Jubilee as Kioni becomes the first senior party official to publicly express interest in succeeding Uhuru.
