Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has challenged Fred Matiang’i to make resolving Jubilee Party’s leadership disputes one of his first priorities after taking over the party leadership from former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Wambugu said the controversy surrounding the position of Secretary-General presents an early test for Matiang’i as Jubilee prepares for its National Delegates Convention and begins positioning itself ahead of the 2027 General Election.
His remarks came after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal nullified the appointment of former Narok North MP Moitalel Ole Kenta as Jubilee Secretary-General.
The tribunal ruled that Kenta was not a registered Jubilee member when he was nominated and appointed to the position, declaring the process leading to his appointment and subsequent recognition by the Registrar of Political Parties invalid.
Wambugu, who had challenged a series of changes to Jubilee’s leadership, argued that the party should use the ruling as an opportunity to restart the process and appoint a Secretary-General through procedures that comply with the party constitution and relevant electoral laws.
In his commentary, Wambugu said Matiang’i’s assumption of leadership should go beyond the formal handover and include efforts to strengthen Jubilee’s internal structures.
He argued that allowing the dispute to develop into another prolonged legal battle could create uncertainty within the party at a time when it is preparing for the next General Election.
The former MP warned that questions surrounding the authority of party officials could become more consequential during the nomination period, particularly if officials are required to approve or submit candidate lists and other election-related documents.
Wambugu said Jubilee should therefore ensure that its leadership structures are legally sound before the party begins the more critical stages of its 2027 preparations.
The tribunal’s decision has already opened the way for Jubilee to restart the process of selecting its Secretary-General in accordance with the party’s constitution.
The leadership question comes as Jubilee undergoes a wider transition following Uhuru’s decision to hand over the party leadership to Matiang’i. Recent reporting has also highlighted an ongoing contest over the party’s direction and leadership as it prepares for the 2027 elections.
Wambugu said the Secretary-General position should be filled through a transparent and lawful process that can withstand scrutiny from party members, regulators and courts.
He further argued that resolving the matter would help the party avoid procedural disputes that could affect its candidates or electoral activities in the future.
The former MP’s intervention comes at a time when the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties is also stepping up scrutiny of political parties ahead of the 2027 elections, including compliance with requirements on party structures and county offices.
For Jubilee, the leadership transition and the Secretary-General dispute therefore form part of a broader effort to reorganise the party ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Wambugu’s message to Matiang’i is that the immediate priority should be to put in place clear, lawful and functional party structures before the party moves deeper into its 2027 preparations.
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