Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has challenged Fred Matiang’i to use his incoming leadership of Jubilee Party to restore order, transparency and confidence in the party’s internal processes.
In an open letter to Matiang’i, Wambugu congratulated him on taking over the party leadership from former President Uhuru Kenyatta, but warned that the transition must not repeat the procedural disputes that have dogged Jubilee.
His intervention comes as Jubilee navigates a fresh leadership shake-up following Uhuru’s decision to hand over the party leadership to Matiang’i, subject to formal approval by the National Delegates Convention (NDC).
Wambugu singled out the disputed appointment of Moitalel Ole Kenta as Secretary-General, saying Jubilee should resolve such questions through its own constitutional mechanisms rather than prolonged court battles.
The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal recently nullified Kenta’s appointment after finding that he did not meet the party’s membership requirements. The High Court has since issued interim orders allowing Kenta to remain in office pending determination of the case.
Wambugu also pressed Matiang’i to provide a clear timetable for the NDC, arguing that delegates should be given an opportunity to determine the party’s leadership and direction.
He further urged the new leadership to anchor Jubilee’s revival in consultation, constitutionalism, transparency and inclusion, with decisions made through established party organs rather than informal arrangements.
“Please make this real,” Wambugu told Matiang’i, signalling that his support for the new leadership will remain conditional on adherence to Jubilee’s rules and internal democratic processes.
The letter places Wambugu’s long-running dispute over Jubilee’s leadership structures directly into the party’s new transition, rather than closing it with Matiang’i’s elevation.
