Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has agreed to pave the way for the handover of the Jubilee Party leadership following a recent High Court ruling.

Uhuru said he respects the court’s decision, which upheld a law restricting retired presidents from holding leadership positions in political parties for more than six months after leaving office.

The ruling was delivered by Justice Lawrence Mugambi and concerned Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act.

Uhuru’s office said the judgment should not be viewed as an attempt to stop him from participating in politics. Instead, he described it as an affirmation of Kenya’s democratic institutions and respect for the rule of law.

The former President also addressed the long-running dispute over the Jubilee Party chairmanship.

His office said the delay in the leadership transition was not caused by reluctance to leave the position. Instead, the process had been affected by an internal dispute that required legal clarification.

With the court now providing clarity on the law, Uhuru said the way had been cleared for the Jubilee leadership transition to proceed.

He expressed willingness to complete the handover in accordance with the Jubilee Party constitution and the law.

The High Court ruling does not prevent retired presidents from remaining members of political parties or taking part in political activities. It mainly restricts them from holding formal party leadership positions beyond the six-month period.

Uhuru has remained an influential figure in Kenyan politics since leaving State House in 2022.

The latest development is therefore expected to have an impact on Jubilee’s leadership and the wider political landscape as parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The handover will now depend on the relevant Jubilee Party processes being followed in line with the court’s decision and the party constitution.