Former President Uhuru Kenyatta will retain his position as leader of the Jubilee Party, with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i expected to be named his deputy during a Special National Delegates Conference (SNDC) on Friday.
Party insiders have hinted that Matiang’i will formally join Jubilee and immediately assume a senior role as part of sweeping changes that include amendments to the party constitution and an expanded leadership structure.
“How and why should he retire? He wants to mentor young leaders so that by the time he leaves, the party is strong,” a party member said, confirming Uhuru’s continued grip on the outfit.
The expected entry of Matiang’i has, however, triggered protests from a rival faction led by nominated MP Sabina Chege, who accused Uhuru’s team of sidelining elected members.
“We are the elected members, yet we have not been informed or invited to the NDC. I only saw the notice in the media,” she said.
Deputy Secretary General Pauline Njoroge declined to confirm Matiang’i’s role, saying finer details would be revealed during the convention.
Uhuru, who regained full control of Jubilee after a lengthy legal battle culminating in a 2024 High Court ruling, is said to be keen on giving the party what he calls “the face of Kenya” by accommodating more youth and regional diversity in its leadership.
