Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has made a dramatic return to active party politics after three years, presiding over the Jubilee Party’s Special National Delegates Conference (NDC) at the Jockey Golf Club in Nairobi on Friday.
The conference comes just months after Uhuru’s faction won a protracted legal battle against a rival wing led by Nominated MP Sabina Chege and East African Legislative Assembly MP Kanini Kega, who had unsuccessfully sought to wrest control of the party.
Uhuru regained full control of Jubilee in June this year.
According to the official notice, the NDC was convened to receive a status report from the National Executive Committee (NEC), review and amend the party constitution, and approve new policies and programs.
Reliable sources also indicated that Jubilee is preparing to initiate its exit from the Azimio coalition, marking a major political shift.
The highlight of the day, however, was the announcement that former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i will take over as Deputy Party Leader, positioning him as Uhuru’s heir apparent in the party and a possible presidential contender in 2027.
Party officials, including Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, Chairperson Saitoti Torome, Vice Chairperson David Murathe, and Deputy Organizing Secretary Pauline Njoroge, were among the senior figures present. Kioni said more than 1,200 delegates attended.
“It is from here that we shall be informed about the way forward by our party leader. It is a historic event,” Kioni told reporters.
Delegates, dressed in Jubilee’s signature red outfits, began arriving as early as 6 a.m., breaking into songs and chants as they awaited Uhuru.
At around 11:20 a.m., Uhuru arrived to an emotional reception, with delegates breaking into the Kikuyu song “nikwanyitanire kuma wathii”, loosely translated as “things have gone from bad to worse since you left us.”
Others waved Jubilee flags and chanted “Wantam!” in solidarity with their leader.
Opening prayers took a sharp political tone, with clerics using the platform to criticize the Kenya Kwanza administration while openly praising Matiang’i as Jubilee’s preferred presidential candidate.
The NDC now marks the official reset of Jubilee’s political machinery under Uhuru’s leadership, setting the stage for the party’s rebranding, restructuring, and possible realignment ahead of 2027.
The meeting is still ongoing
