Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka says the coalition’s council will review the implications of a High Court ruling on former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s political leadership before communicating its position to the public.
The announcement came after Kenyatta accepted a court judgment requiring him to relinquish his leadership of the Jubilee Party, according to a statement issued by Musyoka on Tuesday, September 15.
The ruling, delivered on September 14 by Justice Lawrence Mugambi in Petition No. E532 of 2024, Peter Odhiambo Agoro & 2 others v. Attorney General & 3 others, concerns the holding of formal political party leadership positions by retired presidents.
Musyoka welcomed Kenyatta’s decision to comply with the judgment but stressed that the former president’s position in Jubilee is separate from his role as chairman of the Council of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party.
The distinction could have implications for the coalition’s leadership arrangements as political parties prepare for the 2027 general election.
Azimio separates Jubilee and coalition leadership
In his statement, Musyoka said Kenyatta’s announcement addressed his leadership of Jubilee and did not automatically resolve the separate question of his position within Azimio.
“President Kenyatta also serves as Chairman of the Council of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party. That office is distinct from the one addressed in his statement today, and we would not presume to speak to it on his behalf,” Musyoka said.
He said the coalition would allow its authorised organs to consider the judgment and determine the appropriate next steps.
“What we can say is that the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party will be guided by the judgment, as it is guided by the law in all its affairs,” he said.
Musyoka cited Section 6(1) of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, No. 11 of 2003, alongside the Political Parties Act, the coalition’s constitution and its Deed of Agreement.
He said the council would convene a joint session with the National Executive Committee to consider the judgment and its implications.
“I will convene a joint session of the Council and the National Executive Committee for that purpose, and its outcome will be communicated to Kenyans in good time,” Musyoka said.
The statement does not announce Kenyatta’s removal as Azimio council chairman. Instead, it indicates that the coalition intends to examine the judgment and determine how it applies to its own institutional arrangements.
Kalonzo welcomes Kenyatta’s compliance
Musyoka praised Kenyatta for accepting the court’s decision, saying the former president’s response demonstrated respect for the judiciary and the rule of law.
“In his statement, President Kenyatta received the ruling ‘in a spirit of profound respect for the judiciary’ and observed that ‘the court’s ruling is not a restriction on his political life; it is a reaffirmation of our democratic maturity,’” Musyoka said.
Kenyatta also indicated that the process of handing over Jubilee leadership had been delayed by an internal dispute that required legal clarification.
Musyoka said the former president’s decision to comply with the judgment reflected the statesmanship associated with his public service.
“His readiness to comply forthwith with the finding of the court reflects the statesmanship Kenyans have long associated with him, and it sets a standard we would wish to see observed across our politics,” he said.
He added that the succession process within Jubilee should be handled by the party’s own organs.
“The succession within the Jubilee Party is a matter for that party’s own organs, and we have every confidence that it will be conducted in an orderly and lawful manner,” Musyoka said.
Court ruling does not end political participation
Musyoka also emphasised that the judgment, as he interpreted it, limits the holding of formal party leadership office rather than Kenyatta’s broader right to participate in politics.
“The court was clear that the restriction reaches only the holding of formal party leadership positions beyond six months after leaving office. It does not curtail the right to join a political party, to remain a member of it, or to take part in its activities,” he said.
According to Musyoka, Justice Mugambi distinguished between occupying a formal party office and participating in political life.
He said the court found the restriction proportionate under Article 24 of the Constitution while affirming Kenyatta’s rights under Articles 36 and 38.
“The court both upheld the statute and honoured his rights,” Musyoka said.
He added that Kenyatta remained an important member of the coalition whose advice could still be sought.
“The law speaks to the holding of office. It does not speak to belonging,” Musyoka said.
The statement therefore presents the ruling as affecting Kenyatta’s formal party leadership position while maintaining that it does not bar him from remaining a Jubilee member or participating in political activities.
Azimio announces rebranding ahead of 2027
Musyoka’s statement also announced a comprehensive rebranding of Azimio ahead of the 2027 election.
He said the coalition would renew its structures, policy platform and public engagement to create a more inclusive political movement.
“This season also marks the beginning of a comprehensive rebranding of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party. We are renewing our structures, our policy platform and our public engagement in order to present a revitalised and inclusive coalition ahead of the 2027 general election,” he said.
The planned joint council and National Executive Committee session is expected to clarify Azimio’s position on the implications of the judgment for its leadership arrangements.
Musyoka said the coalition would communicate the outcome to Kenyans after the relevant organs had considered the matter.
