Uhuru-Ruto rivalry far from over as country gears towards 2027 general election

The political rivalry between President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta is far from over as the country heads towards the 2027 general election.

Uhuru has shaken off the “sponsor” tag being labelled against him by Ruto allies, who have been alleging that he is behind the rejuvenated activities being witnessed in the opposition cycles.

Speaking during the memorial event to commemorate the 23rd anniversary since the death of former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa in Kitale on Sunday, Uhuru made it clear that he is not a sponsor to anyone.

“I would like to state it clearly that Kenyans have a right to choose leaders that they want without being pressured to support a particular coalition or candidate. I am not a sponsor to any political coalition or candidate,” said Uhuru.

The former President has had a frosty relationship with his successor dating back to his second term in office, which saw Uhuru opt to support former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the presidency and openly campaign against his estranged Deputy.

Ruto would however, go ahead and outwit Uhuru and Raila to be elected the fifth President of Kenya in what confounded both friends and foes since it was least expected given that the state machinery was at the disposal of the former President and former Prime Minister at the time.

When the Supreme Court upheld Ruto’s election as President in September 2022, he threw a jibe at his predecessor stating that even though he had worked hard to ensure that his rival Raila won the election, he had managed to outsmart them and get to office due to the support of Kenyans.

“I have not spoken to my predecessor for a couple of months but I would be looking for him in a few days so that we can have a conversation over the transition process. I know he worked hard  to have his preferred candidate win but Kenyans have chosen me instead,” said Ruto.

The resident promised to accord Uhuru the respect and all the privileges he deserved as a retired President in a bid to show that he had no grudges despite the grueling political campaigns in which they found themselves in opposing sides.

Uhuru would later come out during an Azimio leaders' retreat held in Kajiado County after the 2022 general election to state that he still believed that Raila was the best President that the country could have gotten and that Kenyans would in two years, confirm that he was right.

The former President would come out later to accuse the Ruto administration for withholding his retirement perks with his Spokesperson Kanze Dena, saying that he was paying members of staff from his pockets yet as a former head of state with a retirement package, this should be the case.

In a surprise turn of events, Uhuru hosted Ruto at his Ichaweri home in Kiambu County in December 2024 where the two held a closed door meeting with many Kenyans expecting that they will bury their hatchet and work together like they had done previously.

The appointment of Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui and Information Cabinet Secretary Willliam Kabogo who are considered as Uhuru allies a few days after this meeting was perceived as being part of their deliberations.

However the relationship between the two leaders seemed not to have gotten to where it was before with the accusations that Uhuru was supporting the opposition to defeat Ruto during the 2027 general election pointing towards the two not having mended their relationship.

Addressing Narok County residents via a phone call in March this year during the homecoming celebration of Jubilee Secretary General Moitalel ole Kenta, Uhuru rebuked assertions that he should be silent, wondering why similar demands were not made on past leaders.

“When I express my views over some matters, I am told that having retired I should remain silent; I did not see such sentiments directed towards my predecessors. Although I am not seeking any elective seat, I remain firmly entrenched in politics as a member of Jubilee Party,” said Uhuru.

The former President gave examples of global political figures, mentioning former United States President Barack Obama as an example of retired leaders who continue to support their political parties and even campaigning for their Presidential candidates without much ado.

In a message to his critics, Uhuru questioned attempts to restrict his public engagements, including attending social functions and interacting with allies wondering why they keep on telling him that he should not talk yet just like other Kenyans he had the right to express himself.

“Being a former President does not stop me from making clear what I believe in, it is my constitutional right to support whichever political formation that I wish. Nobody should try to stop me from doing that since I am not barred by the constitution from doing that,” said Uhuru.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot took a swipe at the former President early this year, questioning his continued involvement in public political activities stating that respect for former presidents is earned through their conduct after leaving office.

The Kericho Senator insisted that retired Heads of State must behave in a manner that commands respect, telling Uhuru that if he behaves like a statesman, people will respect him, but if he misbehaves, he would be handled just like any other political opponent.

Cheruiyot said that when former President Mwai Kibaki retired, he respected the office that the people of Kenya had given him and peacefully rested at home until the day he passed away, questioning Uhuru’s continued political visibility.

However, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua told off UDA leaders criticizing Uhuru over his political views stating that just like any Kenyan, he had his rights and that they should respect him, accusing Ruto for releasing his attack dogs on the former President.

Gachagua told Uhuru history will judge him harshly if he chickened out following intimidation by Ruto allies, telling the leaders that the fact that Uhuru is retired does not mean that his mind is tired and that he has got every right to express himself just like any other Kenyan.

“I would like to state that when the situation demands so we will recall Uhuru for retirement to come and help us deal with this rogue regime, if he can assist in bringing in good governance so be it, I would like to tell our former President that he should not be intimidated,” said Gachagua.

The former Deputy President told off Ruto allies for threatening to withdraw Uhuru’s retirement benefits simply because he was exercising his democratic right, telling them that even if they do that, they will be replaced with payment in arrears when the opposition takes over.

Political Risk Analyst Dismas Mokua said that while tier one politicians like the current and former President may disagree on several issues, the probability of the two aligning on shared interests is very high and that this should not come as a surprise.

Mokua said that a probability does exist that Ruto and Uhuru are working together or will work together ahead of the 2027 general elections in the context of elite deal making and that Kenyans should therefore not be surprised if Uhuru is  managing the opposition on behalf of Ruto.

Ruto and Uhuru probably have political conflicts around the 2022 and 2027 general elections; however, a probability does exist that their interests could merge. It is said that there are no permanent enemies in politics but there are permanent interests,” said Mokua.