Uhuru Kenyatta agrees to step down as head of Jubilee Party
The former Kenyan president has expressed his readiness to step down from the Jubilee Party leadership following a High Court decision confirming the six-month legal limit imposed on former heads of state leading a party.
Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta expressed his willingness on Tuesday, September 15, to relinquish leadership of the Jubilee Party, following a High Court ruling confirming that a former head of state cannot hold a leadership position in a party for more than six months after leaving office.
The ruling issued on Monday by Judge Lawrence Mugambi upholds the application of Article 6(1) of the Kenyan law regarding the benefits of retired presidents. This provision states that a former president cannot retain a position within a political party beyond six months after the end of their term.
In a statement released by his office, Uhuru Kenyatta indicated that he is prepared to complete the transition of leadership of Jubilee in accordance with the law and the party’s internal rules. No successor or specific timeline has been announced.
The decision does not prohibit him from joining a party or participating in political activities. Jubilee stated on Tuesday that it would respect the ruling and emphasized the distinction between holding a leadership position and engaging in political life.
The Azimio coalition is set to separately consider Uhuru Kenyatta’s position as chair of its Council. Its leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, announced on Tuesday the convening of a meeting of the coalition’s bodies to discuss the implications of the ruling.
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