Jubilee Party leader and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta during a past Jubilee National Delegates Conference.

📋 Breaking It Down

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s continued roles in the Jubilee Party and Azimio coalition has come under renewed scrutiny after the High Court upheld a law restricting retired Presidents from holding political party office beyond six months after leaving State House.

The court dismissed a petition challenging Section 6(1) of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, ruling that the provision limits formal party leadership but does not bar retired presidents from belonging to parties or participating in political activities.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi said the restriction was a lawful safeguard against former heads of state exercising power indirectly through political proxies. The court said that the law was designed to protect democratic transitions and preserve the special status of retired Presidents.

📌 What You Need to Know

Jubilee Party leader Uhuru Kenyatta during a meeting of his party's delegates at Kiambu Golf Club in Kiambu County on May 25, 2026.

“A reading of Section 6 (1) is clear, as was strongly submitted by the respondents and the Interested parties, it does not forbid the retired President from being a member of a political party, what it restricts is taking up a leadership role in the political party for more than six months after retiring," Justice Mugambi stated.

The decision directly touches on the leadership dispute that has surrounded Jubilee Party since President William Ruto  took office in September 2022 and Mr Kenyatta's role in its leadership. Mr Kenyatta also serves as the Chairperson of the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Council.

Allies of President Ruto have been criticizing him for actively participating in national politics. They have repeatedly accused him of violating the law. The dispute played out from 2024 through severe funding blockades to Mr Kenyatta's office and benefits and proposed legislative rollbacks to strip him perks.

Mr Kenyatta has been the Jubilee Party's leader since its formation in 2017 and retained the position after retiring as President in September 2022.

In May 2023, a faction of party members declared his position vacant and installed nominated MP Sabina Chege as acting party leader, citing the six-month legal restriction.

📰 Source: Nation Africa