Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has reasserted control of the Jubilee Party after a protracted leadership battle, culminating in the removal of officials associated with a rival faction.

In a decisive move, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has been restructured, with key positions handed to Uhuru loyalists, effectively ending internal wrangles that had plagued the party since 2023.

Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni confirmed the sweeping changes, which followed a Special National Delegates Convention (SNDC) held in May 2023, a consent filed in case E1016 of 2023, and a recent High Court ruling.

“Following the Special National Delegates Convention of May 22, 2023, the Consent E1016 of 2023 and the court order in Case E1016 of 2016, the Jubilee Party wishes to notify the public of changes to its NEC,” Kioni stated.

The overhaul saw the ouster of National Chairman Nelson Dzuya, who has been replaced by Saitoti Torome.

Others ejected from the NEC include nominated MP Sabina Chege and EALA legislator Kanini Kega, who had earlier been declared party leader and secretary general, respectively, by the breakaway faction.

The party also removed former MPs Jimmy Angwenyi, Naomi Shaban, and Joshua Kutuny from leadership positions, alongside Mutava Musyimi, Racheal Nyamai, Advise Mundalo, Joel Kibe, and NEC executive director Wambui Gichuru.

Despite being ejected from decision-making roles, the affected members have not been stripped of Jubilee Party membership.

The revamped team retains Uhuru as party leader and Kioni as secretary general.

Beatrice Gambo now serves as deputy party leader in charge of strategy, while Kudos Muiruri and Joseph Manje have been appointed deputies in charge of outreach and programmes respectively.

Long-time ally David Murathe has retained the position of vice national chairman. Yasin Noor takes over as deputy secretary general, with Kagwe Gichoni named national treasurer and MP Ruweida Mohamed as deputy treasurer.

Garissa Senator Abdulkadir Haji will serve as national organising secretary.

Other new appointees include Pauline Njoroge (deputy national organising secretary), Maison Leshomo (Women’s League national chairperson), and Angel Mbuthia (Youth League chairperson).

Wanja Maina takes over as chairperson for persons with disabilities, Njenga Mungai leads the council of elders, and Udgoon Siyad becomes the Parliament secretary.

The leadership overhaul marks the conclusion of a long-running legal tussle triggered by the May 2023 NDC held at Ngong Racecourse. The restructuring had been challenged at the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal by Dzuya and his allies, who argued the NDC was improperly convened.

Uhuru’s faction countered, asserting that the party leader had the authority to call meetings at any time, without adhering strictly to the seven-day notice rule.

Earlier this month, the High Court validated the resolutions of the 2023 NDC, cementing Uhuru’s authority and invalidating changes introduced by the Kega-Chege faction.

The ruling was based on a consent filed by Dzuya through his lawyer Jackson Awele, recognising the legitimacy of the SNDC. Awele, backed by the party’s Internal Disputes Resolution Committee—now represented by lawyer Franklin Mwendani—told the court the matter had been settled.

“The appellant is a political party funded by public funds. Prudence dictates that party resources be used to manage the party effectively, not to waste them on leadership wrangles,” Awele told the court.