A surprise political thaw took place in September 2024 when President William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta sat down for an unprecedented meeting in Boston, USA.

The secret afternoon meeting, which marked a dramatic shift in their political relationship, followed almost four years of animosity and bitter rivalry between the two former allies.

High-placed sources that we cannot name say the historic encounter was more than just reconciling the two men—it was also about stabilizing a country teetering on the edge of division and protecting the political interests of Kenya’s fourth and fifth presidents.