Ruto's bogeyman: Uhuru becomes political punching bag ahead of 2027

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has increasingly become a political punching bag whenever the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement face political challenges. 

The former Head of State has emerged as a soft target for the two political formations after he maintained his leadership of the Jubilee Party and pledged support for the party’s presidential candidate, Dr Fred Matiang’i, in the 2027 General Election. 

Uhuru’s recent remarks, in which he criticised leaders urging him to retire from politics and insisted that he has a constitutional right to remain active and defend his party, appear to have unsettled allies of President William Ruto.

Addressing residents of Narok county via phone during the homecoming celebration of Jubilee Secretary General Moitalel ole Kenta last Friday, Uhuru dismissed calls for him to remain silent, questioning why similar demands were not made of past leaders.

“When I express my views on certain 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 involved in politics as a member of Jubilee Party,” said Uhuru.

He cited global political figures, including former United States President Barack Obama, who continue to support their parties and campaign for their candidates without controversy. 

Political visibility

In a message to his critics, Uhuru questioned attempts to restrict his public engagements, including attending social functions and interacting with allies, wondering why he is repeatedly told to remain silent, yet, like any other Kenyan, he has a right to express himself.

He said every Kenyan, regardless of their position in society, has a democratic right to participate in political processes and defend their beliefs, noting that the Constitution clearly provides for this.

“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 I wish. Nobody should try to stop me from doing that since I am not barred by the Constitution,” Uhuru said.

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

The Kericho Senator insisted that retired Heads of State must conduct themselves in a manner that commands respect, telling Uhuru that if he behaves like a statesman, he will be accorded respect, but if he misbehaves, he will be treated like any other political opponent.

Cheruiyot said that when former President Kibaki retired, he respected the office the people of Kenya had entrusted to him and quietly lived in retirement until his death, questioning Uhuru’s continued political visibility.

“When the late President Daniel arap Moi retired in 2002, he went to his farm in Kabarak and never bothered himself with the kind of silly monkey games that you are doing today in the Republic of Kenya,” said Cheruiyot.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku also called on Uhuru to state any debt owed to him by President Ruto, saying they would mobilise to repay it so that he could stop what he described as political attacks since leaving office.

Ruku said it was unfair for Uhuru to turn against his former deputy, who he said successfully campaigned for him in 2013 and 2017, helping him win office and who served him faithfully as Deputy President for 10 years despite the challenges he faced.

Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi told Uhuru that the Jubilee Party does not belong to him, arguing it was formed after the United Republican Party merged with The National Alliance (TNA) to create the Jubilee Party, and later alleging that Uhuru had misled them in the process.

Sudi further accused Uhuru of being driven by jealousy over the way President Ruto is running the government.

“We all know Uhuru is jealous of how Ruto has become successful in three years. We also know that the former President worked by hook or crook to ensure that Ruto does not assume office, but God was with Ruto, who rose from a humble background to the highest office,” said Sudi.

However, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua defended Uhuru, telling off UDA leaders criticising his political views.

He said the former President, like any other Kenyan, has rights that must be respected, accusing President Ruto of deploying “attack dogs” against him.

Gachagua warned that history would judge Uhuru harshly if he yielded to intimidation from allies of President Ruto, insisting that retirement does not diminish his intellect or his right to speak.

‘Known unknown’ variable

The former Deputy President said that instead of attacking Uhuru, leaders should be accounting to the country what the Kenya Kwanza administration has achieved in the last three years, alleging that several systems inherited from the previous government had since deteriorated.

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

He also dismissed threats by Ruto allies to withdraw Uhuru’s retirement benefits, saying such actions would not silence him and warning that any political consequences would be reversed in future.

Political analyst Dismas Mokua noted that former President Uhuru retains huge political capital and influence that could shape the 2027 General Election, explaining why his political moves continue to attract close attention.

He said Uhuru’s perceived support for Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka under the Azimio coalition, endorsement of former CS Matiang’i as the Jubilee presidential candidate and his shifting relationship with President Ruto have positioned him as a key figure ahead of the 2027 polls.

“This explains why his political pronouncements continue to attract national attention. President Ruto, Kalonzo and former CS Dr Matiang’i are undertaking scenario and sensitivity analysis, with former President Uhuru viewed as a potential black swan event,” said Mokua.

He noted that the former President remains a “known unknown” variable in the 2027 presidential election, meaning his position is likely to attract both praise and criticism at all times.

“The praise and attack strategy is meant to rattle the former President so that he moves into the known-knowns matrix. His position will enable presidential candidates to recalibrate their 2027 strategies,” he said.

Pan-African engagements

Mokua added that some Kenyans expect Uhuru to keep out of local politics and instead focus on his Pan-African engagements.“It is not lost on observers that active participation in local politics can erode his Pan-African statesman credentials,” he said.

He further argued that there is merit in the former President maintaining distance from domestic politics, saying his interests, both political and commercial, remain secure under any administration.

The Jubilee Party National Executive Committee, chaired by Deputy Party Leader Matiang’i, noted in January with concern what it termed sustained and coordinated attacks on former President Uhuru by supporters of a government-aligned faction within the ODM Party.

Matiang’i described the attacks, which he said were being made at the behest of the government, as dishonest, politically driven and aimed at diverting attention from what he termed the failures of the current administration.

He urged those invoking Uhuru’s name in political disputes to stop.

Separately, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed alleged in January that Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi had approached him with claims that Uhuru was willing to fund the party with Sh1 billion on condition that it joins the united opposition.

However, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna dismissed the claims, rejecting assertions that Uhuru was seeking to influence the party’s political direction or push it out of its broad-based arrangement with President Ruto in readiness for the next General Election.