Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has emerged victorious in a legal battle that ended a long-running leadership dispute within the Jubilee Party.
The High Court, on Thursday, June 12, upheld the resolutions made during the party’s National Delegates Conference (NDC) held in May 2023, effectively validating Kenyatta’s leadership.
In March 2025, former Jubilee Chairman Nelson Dzuya supported the legitimacy of the NDC meeting. While he acknowledged that some procedural issues may have arisen, Dzuya affirmed that Kenyatta had the authority to convene the meeting and steer the party.
As a result of the court's ruling, Kenyatta was reinstated as the party leader, with leadership changes also confirmed at the top echelons of the party structure.
According to the court's ruling, Saitoti Torome has been confirmed as the new National Chairman of Jubilee, while Jeremiah Kioni retains his role as Secretary-General.
Lawyer Jackson Awele presented the formal application on behalf of the Jubilee faction led by Kenyatta, supported by a new legal team and the party’s Internal Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRC).
The judgment also nullified changes made by the rival group associated with former Kieni MP Kanini Kega and Sabina Chege, effectively stripping them of control over the party.
The conflict began after the Kega-Chege faction sought to oust Kenyatta’s allies, claiming the former president and his team had been removed and replaced through internal processes.
A previous ruling on September 30, 2024, had dismissed the recognition of Kenyatta's faction, temporarily handing control to the opposing group, a decision now overturned by the latest court verdict.
‘’Victory as the high court rules that the Jubilee Party belongs to Uhuru Kenyatta. Justice Janet Mulwa also nullified the Kanini-Sabina-led NEC that purported to remove Jeremiah Kioni, David Murathe, and Treasurer Kagwe Gichohi,’’ the statement by the party read in September 2024.
The court further ruled that David Murathe, the party’s Vice Chairperson, would legally retain his position despite attempts by the rival faction to expel him.
Kenyatta’s reinstatement now strengthens his standing in Kenya’s evolving political arena. Could it set the stage for a comeback? We can only wait and see.
