Ruto allies renew attacks on Uhuru over 2027 manoeuvres

Allies of President William Ruto have escalated a fresh wave of political attacks against Uhuru Kenyatta as he pushes to influence 2027 politics.

 Senior leaders in the Kenya Kwanza administration have claimed Uhuru was financing opposition rallies, inciting young people and attempting to destabilise the Ruto government.

 The leaders also claimed that Uhuru is covertly backing opposition formations, including the increasingly visible “Linda Mwananchi” movement, which has intensified criticism of the government.

 National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula is among those who have publicly alleged that the former head of state is bankrolling groups aimed at undermining President Ruto’s administration.

 “You were the President. Carry the dignity and respect of a retired president. You are now an elder and statesman. If the country is in trouble, we call upon you to call the country to order. If the country goes astray, we call upon you to bring the country together,” Wetang'ula said.

 “How will you bring the country together if you exhibit bias, insult people and talk about things that divide rather than unite the country?” he added.

 Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot said Uhuru should keep off active politics if he wants to be respected by Kenyans.

 “If you behave like a retired president, people will respect you. But if you misbehave, people will deal with you. There is no way a retired president can do the things you are doing and expect that Kenyans will respect you,” Cheruiyot said in Butula.

 He claimed Uhuru was financing opposition elements, particularly Linda Mwananchi, and inciting unrest across the country.

 He added that every time Uhuru speaks, he reminds Kenyans of the failures and shortcomings of his 10-year presidency, “from Big Four agenda to Big zero”.

 “Sifuna, Orengo and Osotsi are working under Uhuru. They are receiving money every month,” Cheruiyot claimed.

 Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku also criticised Uhuru, calling on him to accord President Ruto the respect befitting his office.

 Speaking in Njoro on Saturday, Ruku said it was only fair for Uhuru to reciprocate the respect he received from Ruto during his tenure.

 “We expect you, as a retired president, to advise and support the sitting head of state. That office belongs to all Kenyans. If things go wrong in this country, all of us will suffer.

 “Uhuru is respected nationally, continentally and globally. So when he makes remarks that do not conform to his stature, then this country is headed in the wrong direction,” Ruku said.

 The pro-government leaders were responding to remarks made by Uhuru through a phone address to residents of Narok during a thanksgiving ceremony for Jubilee secretary general Ole Kenta.

 Uhuru claimed the Ruto administration is gagging him on the grounds that he is retired.

 “Whenever I say one or two things, I am told I am retired and should go home. Why didn’t they tell Moi to retire and go home? I am not in active politics and I am not seeking any elective position, but I have a right to defend my party. Even in the US, Obama defends his party,” Uhuru said.

 The Jubilee leader also claimed the government was interfering with other parties, saying democracy should be respected.

 This is the latest flare-up between Uhuru and Ruto’s allies after years of hostilities.

 Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet has been among the most vocal, telling Uhuru to “stay in retirement” and refrain from interfering in active politics.

 He urged the former president to emulate his predecessors, Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki, both of whom largely maintained a low political profile after leaving office.

 Beyond accusations of political interference, some Kenya Kwanza leaders have alleged that Uhuru is resorting to tribal mobilisation to regain influence, particularly in the Mt Kenya region.

 These claims come at a time when the region is undergoing significant political reconfiguration, with figures such as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua seeking to consolidate support against Ruto.

 The appearance of Uhuru during the funeral of former Kirinyaga Senator Daniel Karaba carried political undertones, with suggestions that he was backing the united opposition.

 Uhuru referred to this in the Narok phone address, saying he has been constrained even in attending weddings, friends’ funerals and visiting people without being perceived as taking political positions.

 The former president has, however, become increasingly visible through his engagement with Jubilee Party structures and his indirect alignment with sections of the opposition.

 His criticism of the government’s economic management, particularly on issues such as the cost of living and taxation, has resonated with some members of the public but also drawn sharp criticism from the administration.

 Gachagua, however, defended Uhuru, saying he would not allow the former President to be insulted.

 “My people and I will not sit back and allow Uhuru to be abused. I want to tell him that we will defend him because he did his work and is now retired. Saying he is retired does not mean his mind is retired. He still retains his constitutional right to express his opinion and to have a political choice,” Gachagua said on Sunday in Kajiado.