Who is fooling who? Puzzle of UhuRuto hot-cold relations

President William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta are sending puzzling signals with their hot and cold relationship ahead of the 2027 polls.

Known to be sworn enemies following their bitter fallout in the runup to the 2022 elections, Ruto and Uhuru surprised the country with their recent display of camaraderie.

Ruto visited his processor in his Ichaweri home in Gatundu, Kiambu county, on December 9, triggering talk of a political reunion.

They held a closed-door meeting for several hours before stepping out for photos in what was theorised by political observers as the end of their bad political blood.

But, surprisingly, Uhuru’s and Ruto’s teams immediately released contradictory statements about the meeting.

In what was seen as an outcome of the meeting, Ruto soon after nominated perceived Uhuru political allies into his broad-based government.

They include Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe, who served as Uhuru’s Health CS.

Kagwe was one of the most dependable CSs in the Uhuru Cabinet.

Former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, Uhuru’s key man who defied the UDA wave in Mt Kenya to stick with the former President, landed the Trade docket.

Ruto also picked former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo as ICT CS. Former Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi was named the KRA board chairman and ex-Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria chairman of the Public Procurement Regulatory Board.

The President also appointed Peter Kenneth the chairman of Kenya Bureau of Standards.

However, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni immediately denounced any relationship with Ruto, clarifying that the five joined government in their personal capacities.

“Uhuru is saying that consulting me is not co-opting me into the government. Remember he consulted Raila many times when we had the Jubilee government but he never drafted him into government,” Kioni said.

“He never appointed them (Raila’s allies) into government. But he was consulting the opposition to get things done like the Building Bridges Initiative.”

Political observer Javas Bigambo said the relationship between Uhuru and Ruto will not be determined by the baggage of the 2022 polls but by the interests and realities of the 2027 elections.

“The same way they pulled a surprise when they met in Ichaweri is the way Uhuru will pull a surprise and publicly announce his support for Ruto in 2027,” he said.

Bigambo added that Uhuru’s political anger with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, coupled with the urge to regain some influence in Mt Kenya, could push him to support Ruto.

“Ruto’s interest is to get as much support as possible to win elections and retain power. Uhuru, on the other hand, wants peaceful retirement and an administration that will protect his business interests,” Bigambo said.

But political analyst Martin Andati claimed the two leaders have not reconciled following their fallout in the run-up to the last elections.

“Uhuru Kenyatta is playing a very big role in the coalition that will face Ruto in 2027,” Andati said.

“What happened in Ichaweri was the work of the state apparatus to portray the latest Cabinet appointees as having the blessings of the former President.”

Some insiders claim President Ruto personally pushed for the meeting in an attempt to pacify the restive Mt Kenya following the impeachment of Gachagua.

Ruto faces a revolt from the region that voted overwhelmingly for him in the last polls.

In yet another confusing move, Uhuru launched what was seen as a direct attack on Ruto’s administration soon after his supposed allies joined the government.

The former President called on Gen Z, the youthful Kenyans who nearly toppled Ruto’s government, to stand up and fight for their rights.

Speaking during the funeral service for his cousin Kibathi Muigai at Nairobi Chapel, the retired President criticised the younger generation for displaying fear in addressing society’s ills and defending their rights.

He said it was wrong for citizens to remain silent as their resources were mismanaged by bad leadership.

He urged his own young family members to join the Gen Z uprising as the only sure way to stand for their beliefs and ensure the country does not go to the dogs.

“The problem with people nowadays is that everybody is scared; sijui mmeogopeshwa [I don’t know, you are intimidated]. Even you, Ngina rudi uingie hii [join them]. Gen Zs, you are the story of the future,” he said.

“Fight for your rights, sio kukaa hapo mali yenu ichukuliwe na nyinyi mmeitolea jasho! Msikubali, pambaneni muhakikishe mmepata haki yenu, mnaskia? Sio kukaakaa hapo tu. Hakuna kitu kinadumu.”

[Do not just sit by as the wealth that you have sweated for is squandered. Resist until you get justice, do you understand? Do not sit by.

Nothing lasts forever.] But Ruto hit back at his former boss, accusing him of inciting the youths against his administration.

“Our young people deserve the best from us, as the government, as parents. These young people don’t need confrontations or violence; they want job opportunities,” he said.

“That is what we should be focusing on as leaders instead of inciting them to violence and destruction, which will not solve their problem or that of the country.”

It’s said Uhuru has a hand in the behind-the-scenes efforts to have former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i – the power man in Uhuru’s administration – face off with Ruto in 2027.

Uhuru and Ruto – the once dynamic duo – fell out soon after the 2017 polls following the former President’s handshake with opposition chief Raila Odinga.

Uhuru opted to support Raila in the elections but Ruto turned the tables on his boss in his own Mt Kenya backyard, securing a historic victory.

Their war continued after the polls after the government withdrew the security detail of Uhuru’s mother and unleashed DCI officers on his son, accused of possession of unlicensed firearms.

Ruto, on the other hand, accused his predecessor of bankrolling the wave of nationwide opposition protests that swept across the country months after the elections.