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Uhuru demotes Kioni from Jubilee SG role, replaces him with Ole Kenta
Jubilee Party of President Uhuru Kenyatta has picked former Narok North MP Moitalel Ole Kenta as its new Secretary General, replacing Jeremiah Kioni.
The changes were announced by Dr Fred Matiangi on Thursday following the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). Dr Mataing’i, who is Jubilee Deputy Party Leader, said Mr Kioni has been appointed Deputy Party Leader, a position that can be held by several people.
In this position, Matiang'i said during a press conference Thursday, Mr Kioni will be charged with leading recruitment for the party.
But in a statement released to the public shortly after, the former ruling party did not make any reference over Mr Kioni’s new role.
“Jubilee Party National Executive Committee under the leadership of Uhuru Kenyatta is pleased to announce the appointment of former Narok North MP Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta, as the party Secretary-General,” states the statement.
Mr Kenta was first elected in 2013 on Mr Kenyatta’s The National Alliance (TNA) ticket and served two consecutive terms, before unsuccessfully running for the Narok gubernatorial seat in the 2022 General Election.
“Mr Kenta brings to the party a wealth of experience in elective politics, legal expertise, strategic management and institutional governance at a critical moment when the party is strengthening its structures and positioning itself to win seats across the country, and deliver Dr Fred Matiang’i’s presidency in the forthcoming General Elections.”
The party called upon its members and supporters to accord Mr Kenta their full support as he steers the party towards 2027.
Admonished Kioni
Former President and Jubilee Party leader Uhuru Kenyatta (left) with party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni during Special National Delegates Conference at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on September 26, 2025.
In November last year, Mr Kenyatta had admonished Mr Kioni for what he termed as “insults” against former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
While addressing the party leaders’ forum in Murang’a County, the former president rejected the behaviour.
“And you Kioni...This habit of I routinely seeing you online insulting other leaders...this or that, sometimes Gachagua...what for? I don’t want that kind of rubbish,” said Mr Kenyatta.
The ex-president said Jubilee must be an outfit that sells ideologies, not an insulting forum.
“Let us sell the party agenda...Party policies...what we intend to do as a party to take the country forward but not insults,” he said.
“Anyone using my party to insult others will have to go. I will ensure you are kicked out...you will have to go and get yourself another party to progress that kind of rubbish.”
Mr Kioni has been under pressure from the party to go easy on his perceived hardliner stance against Mr Gachagua. Some of his utterances have in the past been cited for causing tension within the United Opposition.
Recently, the party chairman, Mr Saitoti Torome, said: “Most of the things Mr Kioni and others speak publicly are not party positions…They are own opinions.”
Other party changes
In the changes announced by Dr Matiang'i today, Vincent Mogaka Kemosi was named the new national chairperson, taking over from Saitoti Torome who takes over leadership of the Jubilee Foundation.
Senator Yusuf Haji, who has been the national organising secretary, has been excused to focus on other things in order to pave way for Yassin Noor.
Former CAS Zach Kinuthia has been named the new Deputy Secretary-General of Jubilee party while lawyer Dan Mwangi has been appointed Executive Director.
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