- Fred Matiang’i suffers setback in Jubilee Party leadership shake-up
- Registrar of Political Parties declines to approve proposed changes
- Objection filed by Ngunjiri Wambugu stalls restructuring plans
- Matiang’i had been proposed as Jubilee deputy party leader
- Leadership changes linked to early 2027 presidential preparations
- Internal disputes now threaten Jubilee’s reorganisation efforts
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has suffered a fresh political setback after the Registrar of Political Parties declined to approve changes that would have elevated him to deputy party leader within the Jubilee Party.
The decision, made by Registrar of Political Parties John Cox Lorionokou, followed an objection lodged by former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, who questioned the legality and transparency of the party’s ongoing restructuring process.
The proposed leadership changes had positioned Matiang’i as a key figure within Jubilee and were widely viewed as part of broader preparations for the 2027 General Election. Political observers have also linked the reorganisation to efforts backed by former President Uhuru Kenyatta to revive the party’s national influence.
In a letter dated April 28, the registrar reportedly informed Jubilee leadership that the party must first resolve its internal disputes before any new officials can be formally registered.
The disputed changes had earlier been published in Gazette Notice No. 5749 of April 7, 2026.
Wambugu, in his objection, accused sections of the party leadership of operating without proper accountability and raised concerns over whether some officials currently holding office were constitutionally recognised under party structures.
The stalled restructuring included several high-profile appointments. Former Narok North MP Moitalel Ole Kenta had been proposed as secretary general, replacing former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni, who was instead nominated for the deputy party leader position alongside Matiang’i.
Other proposed officials included former West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi Mogaka as national chairperson, businessman Yasin Noor as organising secretary, former Murang’a senator Kembi Gitura as director of elections, and Zack Kinuthia as deputy secretary general.
The latest development now exposes growing divisions within Jubilee Party as it attempts to rebuild and reposition itself ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 political contest.
