NAIROBI, Kenya — Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has said former President Uhuru Kenyatta remains free to participate in politics despite the High Court ruling requiring him to relinquish his formal leadership position in Jubilee Party.
Kalonzo said the judgment by Justice Lawrence Mugambi restricts retired presidents from holding political party leadership positions beyond six months after leaving office but does not prevent them from belonging to political parties or taking part in political activities.
Uhuru has since accepted the ruling and indicated that he is ready to hand over the Jubilee leadership in accordance with the law and the party’s constitution.
Kalonzo Welcomes Uhuru’s Decision
In a statement on Tuesday, Kalonzo welcomed Uhuru’s decision to comply with the judgment, describing it as a demonstration of statesmanship.
“We welcome this position. His readiness to comply forthwith with the finding of the court reflects the statesmanship Kenyans have long associated with him,” Kalonzo said.
The former president said he accepted the High Court decision after it upheld Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, which provides that a retired president cannot hold office in a political party for more than six months after leaving the presidency.
Uhuru Still Free to Participate in Politics
Kalonzo stressed that Uhuru’s departure from the formal leadership of Jubilee should not be interpreted as an end to his political involvement.
“The law speaks to the holding of office. It does not speak to belonging,” he said.
The High Court ruling similarly distinguished between holding a formal political party office and participating in political activities. Retired presidents remain entitled to belong to political parties and participate in political affairs after leaving office.
Kalonzo said the judgment therefore preserves Uhuru’s constitutional rights to freedom of association and political participation.
“Jubilee Party remains a valued member of this coalition party, and President Kenyatta remains a member of our movement whose counsel we shall continue to seek,” he said.
Jubilee Leadership to Be Handled by Party
Kalonzo said the question of who succeeds Uhuru as Jubilee Party leader should be addressed through the party’s own organs.
He expressed confidence that the transition would be conducted in an orderly and lawful manner in accordance with Jubilee’s constitution.
Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni has already offered himself to succeed Uhuru, saying the party leader should be elected by delegates through the National Delegates Convention rather than installed through an informal succession process.
Kalonzo Separates Uhuru’s Azimio Role
Kalonzo said the High Court ruling also raises a separate question concerning Uhuru’s position as Chairman of the Council of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party.
He emphasised that the Jubilee Party leadership and the Azimio council chairmanship are separate positions within different institutional structures.
“The second concerns the Chairmanship of the Council of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, a distinct office in a distinct institution, which falls to be considered by the organs of this coalition,” Kalonzo said.
He announced that he would convene a joint session of the Azimio Council and National Executive Committee (NEC) to consider the implications of the judgment on Uhuru’s position.
Azimio to Review Uhuru’s Position
Kalonzo said the coalition would be guided by the High Court judgment, the Political Parties Act, the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, its constitution and the Deed of Agreement.
Any decision affecting Uhuru’s position within Azimio will therefore be made through the coalition’s internal structures, rather than automatically following from the court ruling.
The outcome of the joint Council and NEC meeting will be communicated to Kenyans, Kalonzo said.
The distinction is significant because the High Court judgment specifically addressed the holding of political party office by retired presidents. It did not direct Azimio on how to structure its coalition leadership.
Azimio Plans Coalition Rebranding
Kalonzo also announced plans for a comprehensive rebranding of the Azimio coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He said the coalition would renew its structures, policy platform and public engagement as it seeks to present what he described as a more revitalised and inclusive political vehicle.
The planned changes come as opposition parties continue discussions over their political arrangements ahead of the 2027 election.
Kalonzo said the coalition would enter the next phase while maintaining Uhuru’s involvement as a member whose counsel could still be sought.
“As President Kenyatta said, he ‘welcomes this new chapter’ — and so do we,” Kalonzo said.
High Court Ruling on Retired Presidents
Justice Mugambi upheld Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act after dismissing a petition challenging the restriction.
The ruling has now triggered a leadership transition within Jubilee, with Uhuru preparing to relinquish his formal party position and potential changes to his role within Azimio set to be considered separately by the coalition’s organs.
