Jubilee Party deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i’s reported march towards the former ruling party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general election has run into fresh turbulence after former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu moved to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal to challenge recent changes in the party’s leadership.

Wambugu has filed an urgent application seeking to stop the implementation of changes to Jubilee Party officials that were recently recorded by the Registrar of Political Parties, arguing that the process was procedurally flawed and politically consequential.

The dispute comes at a delicate time for the former ruling party, which has been attempting to reposition itself ahead of 2027 amid growing speculation that Matiang’i could emerge as one of its key presidential prospects.

Recent public reports indicated that the Registrar of Political Parties had dismissed Wambugu’s objection and allowed the changes to proceed, a move now being challenged before the tribunal.

In the application, Wambugu has named the Registrar of Political Parties, Matiang’i, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, Vincent Mogaka Kemosi, Moitalel Ole Kenta, Zack Kinuthia, Yasir Noor and Dann Mwangi as respondents.

At the heart of the dispute is a letter dated May 21, 2026, from the Registrar of Political Parties, which Wambugu says gave effect to contested leadership changes despite an existing statutory objection.

The former MP argues that the registrar proceeded to adopt and record the changes without informing him, consulting him, or giving him an opportunity to be heard on whether the concerns he had raised had been resolved.

He further accuses Jubilee Party of misleading the registrar by allegedly indicating that his objections had been addressed, even though discussions over the matter had not been concluded.

According to the application, the registrar “failed to undertake due diligence or independently verify whether the Applicant’s objection had been resolved prior to effecting the changes in the register,” an action Wambugu argues violated the constitutional duty of administrative fairness, transparency and accountability under Article 47.

Wambugu wants the tribunal to issue conservatory orders suspending, staying and halting the implementation, recognition and operationalization of the disputed changes pending the hearing and determination of the case.

Court documents show that the changes were initially introduced through Gazette Notice No. 5749 before later being recorded by the Registrar of Political Parties.

Wambugu says failure by the tribunal to intervene could allow the changes to take effect and significantly alter the management, operations and political direction of Jubilee before the dispute is fully heard.

“That pending the hearing and determination of the Complaint herein, this Honourable Tribunal be pleased to restrain the Respondents whether jointly or severally from implementing, operationalizing, effecting, recognizing, gazetting, validating, or in whatsoever giving effect to the impugned changes of officials,” the application states.

He is also seeking orders barring Matiang’i and the other respondents from assuming office, acting, presenting themselves, or being recognized as Jubilee Party officials until the matter is determined.

The application has been filed under Sections 20 and 40 of the Political Parties Act, with Wambugu citing Articles 22, 23, 38, 47 and 50 of the Constitution. He argues that the matter touches on political rights, fair administrative action and the right to a fair hearing.

The legal challenge is likely to deepen fissures within Jubilee, which has spent the past few years battling internal leadership wrangles and competing claims over control of the party.

In June 2025, the Registrar of Political Parties reaffirmed former president Uhuru Kenyatta as Jubilee Party leader and Jeremiah Kioni as secretary general, in what was then seen as a major step in stabilizing the party after prolonged disputes.

But the latest case suggests that Jubilee’s internal contest is far from settled, especially as the party navigates the question of who will carry its political banner in 2027.

Matiang’i, who served as one of the most powerful Cabinet Secretaries in the previous administration, has increasingly been linked to a possible presidential bid.

Several Jubilee figures have publicly backed him, while critics within the party have questioned the transparency of the process leading to his apparent elevation.

The matter will be mentioned for directions on June 5, 2026.

Follow our social media pages for breaking news updates, in-depth stories and videos.

news@nairobilens.ke