Nyaribari Masaba MP Daniel Manduku has warned that the ongoing contest over the leadership of the Jubilee Party could continue for several months and may eventually return to court.

Manduku said Jubilee’s next party leader should be chosen through the party’s established structures and grassroots membership rather than through an agreement among a small group of officials.

His remarks come after Jeremiah Kioni expressed interest in taking over the leadership of Jubilee following a High Court decision requiring former President Uhuru Kenyatta to leave formal party leadership after the prescribed period.

Kioni has said he intends to seek the position through Jubilee’s internal democratic processes, including the National Delegates Convention.

Manduku questioned whether Kioni could automatically assume the position, arguing that a party leader needs the support of the wider party organisation and its grassroots structures.

The MP also pointed to the role of polling-station officials in determining the strength of a political party, saying leadership should be connected to the party’s membership across the country.

The leadership dispute has placed Kioni and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i among the key figures in the debate. Kioni is seeking the top party position, while Matiang’i has been identified by Jubilee as its presidential candidate.

Manduku also raised questions about the financial implications of controlling Jubilee, noting that the party has previously received funding from the Political Parties Fund. Official figures cited in the report show that Jubilee received KSh112.53 million from the fund during the 2024/25 financial year.

The MP predicted that the disagreement could extend towards the end of the year and possibly lead to further court proceedings.

The leadership contest comes as Jubilee works to reorganise itself ahead of the 2027 General Election, making the outcome of the internal dispute important to the party’s future political direction.