Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has confirmed he will vacate his position as leader of the Jubilee Party, complying with a directive issued by the High Court.
The decision follows a ruling delivered by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, which enforces Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act. The law prohibits former heads of state from holding political party office for more than six months after leaving State House, though it permits them to continue participating in broader political activities.
In an official communication released by the Office of the 4th President, Mr. Kenyatta welcomed the ruling as a reaffirmation of Kenya’s democratic maturity and pledged to fully honor the court’s direction.
The former head of state noted that the decision does not restrict his overall political engagement, emphasizing that true leadership is rooted in public trust rather than an official designation.
Addressing the delay surrounding the party chairmanship transfer, the former president’s office clarified that the handover was not held up by reluctance, but rather by contested internal disputes requiring judicial resolution. With legal clarity now established, Mr. Kenyatta expressed confidence in a smooth succession governed by the party constitution and guided by a new generation of leadership.
Justice Mugambi’s judgment addressed a petition alleging a violation of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act. In delivering the verdict, the court highlighted that former presidents occupy a unique position of authority and could exert influence capable of distorting genuine political competition.
The court also cited the historical context of the law’s enactment in 2003, when Parliament sought to prevent former executives from retaining political control through successors.
