‘I Was Disappointed’ Kioni Opens Up on Uhuru’s Jubilee Handover to Matiang’i

Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni has opened up about his disappointment after former President Uhuru Kenyatta handed over the party leadership to Fred Matiang’i, days after Kioni had offered himself for the position.

Speaking during an interview on Thursday, October 8, Kioni said he had already put in his request to be considered for the top party position.

“I myself had aspired to be the party leader. I had already put in my request to be considered,” Kioni said.

Uhuru handed over the Jubilee Party leadership to Matiang’i during a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on September 22, asking members to accept his former deputy as the party leader as the outfit prepares for the 2027 General Election.

Kioni Explains His Disappointment

Kioni said he was disappointed by the outcome, noting that political ambitions often come with disappointment when an aspirant fails to secure the position they sought.

“The fact that it did not come to me, I was disappointed, of course, because in politics when you aspire for something and you don’t get it, you feel disappointed,” he said.

He, however, said his disappointment was also linked to what he understood would be discussed during the NEC meeting that eventually produced the leadership change.

Also Read: Uhuru Hands Over Jubilee Leadership to Matiang’i Ahead of NDC

Kioni said he was unaware that the September 22 meeting would address the position of party leader because the NEC agenda had not been circulated beforehand.

“I didn’t know the meeting that was called on Tuesday was to deal with the issue of the party leader,” he said.

The Jubilee Deputy Party Leader said he had instead expected the meeting to focus on the position of Secretary-General, which he considered the more pressing matter at the time.

Why Kioni Expected the NEC to Discuss Secretary-General

According to Kioni, his understanding was shaped by a court case involving the party’s Secretary-General.

“In my estimation, because the agenda of the NEC was not circulated, it was just the way we do it and I thought the most pressing issue then was the one of the Secretary General,” he said.

He explained that the Secretary-General had been removed by the court over his alleged membership of ODM, making the matter, in Kioni’s view, the key issue likely to come before the NEC.

“I thought that was the crucial matter,” Kioni added.

Also Read: Jubilee Names New SG, Elevates Kioni to Deputy Party Leader

Kioni had publicly expressed his interest in succeeding Uhuru on September 15, saying he was ready to seek the party leadership through Jubilee’s internal democratic structures.

Seven days later, Uhuru announced his decision to step aside and asked Jubilee members to accept Matiang’i as the party’s new leader.

Matiang’i had served as Jubilee’s Deputy Party Leader before taking over the top position. His appointment still subject to formal ratification by the National Delegates Convention.

Kioni currently serves as Jubilee Party Secretary-General, having previously held the position of deputy party leader before the latest changes to the party’s leadership.

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Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni speaking during an interview on The Peoples Breakfast on October 8, 2026. PHOTO/ SCREENGRAB