Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has dismissed claims that he is making a political comeback, insisting that his recent public appearances are solely aimed at overseeing the leadership transition within the Jubilee Party.
Speaking during a meeting of Jubilee Party delegates in Kiambu County on Monday, May 25, 2026, the retired Head of State said his role since leaving office has been to unite the party and ensure that a new generation of leaders takes over in accordance with the party constitution.
Uhuru explained that the transition process began immediately after he peacefully handed over power following the 2022 General Election, but legal disputes and internal wrangles slowed down the process considerably.
“We are discussing our Jubilee Party, where we are and where we are going. As you know, we have had challenges in our party, and not our own problems but problems brought by others,” Uhuru told delegates.
The former president maintained that he had no intention of returning to active partisan politics and was instead focused on completing what he described as a constitutional obligation within the party.
According to him, after leaving State House, his primary objective was to reorganize Jubilee and create room for new leaders to emerge through democratic processes.
“Since I left office as president and handed over power respectfully and peacefully, my work was to embark on a plan to unite the Jubilee Party and give it new leaders. We started the process within the constitutional framework and in accordance with our party constitution,” he stated.
His remarks come at a time when political activity across the country is intensifying ahead of the 2027 General Election, with several political formations already positioning themselves for the highly anticipated contest.
Over the last few months, Uhuru has increasingly appeared at political events and party meetings, attracting criticism from leaders allied to President William Ruto, who accuse him of attempting to influence opposition politics from behind the scenes.
However, the former president rejected those accusations, arguing that his current engagements are purely administrative and aimed at ensuring a smooth handover of Jubilee leadership.
“But others decided to use the opportunity to take us to court, and we have spent two to three years struggling for nothing because we believed the public should be given a chance to elect their leaders. I am now in the process of a handover, but others are saying that I am engaging in politics. If they had allowed the process to continue, I would be done by now,” Uhuru remarked.
The Jubilee Party has experienced a turbulent period since the 2022 elections, marked by leadership disputes, court battles, and internal divisions that threatened the party’s future.
Several factions emerged within the party following the transition of power, leading to prolonged legal battles over leadership and control of party structures.
According to Uhuru, these disputes significantly delayed efforts to reorganize the party and establish a new leadership team through internal democratic processes.
Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence that the party remains stable and is gradually moving toward completing the transition process.
Uhuru also emphasized that leadership succession within political parties is a crucial aspect of democracy and should be respected rather than obstructed through endless legal battles.
Observers view his latest remarks as part of a broader effort to reassure party members that Jubilee remains intact despite years of turbulence.
The meeting in Kiambu also attracted notable political figures, including former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, whose appearance fueled speculation about possible political realignments ahead of the next election cycle.
Although Uhuru avoided discussing potential alliances or presidential candidates, his comments underscored the importance of strengthening party structures before the country enters full campaign mode.
Political analysts believe the future direction of Jubilee could play a significant role in shaping the opposition landscape ahead of 2027, particularly in the Mt. Kenya region, where competition for political influence continues to intensify.
For now, however, Uhuru insists his mission remains unchanged.
He says his focus is not on seeking political office or orchestrating a comeback, but on ensuring that Jubilee completes its leadership transition in accordance with the law and the party constitution.
As political temperatures continue to rise across Kenya, his statements are likely to spark fresh debate about his role in the country’s evolving political landscape and the future of the party he once led to power.
Whether viewed as a retired statesman managing a transition or a political heavyweight still wielding considerable influence, Uhuru remains one of the most closely watched figures in Kenya’s political arena as the road to the 2027 General Election gradually takes shape.
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