Gachagua takes on Ruto allies over attacks on Uhuru

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua speaking in Kajiado on May 3, 2026/COURTESY

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out in defence of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, escalating a growing political dispute over the retired Head of State's continued involvement in public affairs.

Gachagua criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration of allegedly using proxies to attack Uhuru following his recent remarks that Kenya is not on the right track.

Speaking on Sunday, Gachagua urged respect for the former President, crediting him with leaving behind a stable country and affirming his right to speak on national issues.

“Yesterday, we saw some leaders attack Uhuru Kenyatta because he said that Kenya is not on the right track and needs change. We want to tell you to stop sending emissaries to attack Uhuru. If you are man enough, attack Uhuru yourself,” Gachagua said.

“No one has the right to attack Uhuru. He left the country that was stable. It is now destroyed. Respect Uhuru. He was the President of Kenya and did a good job.”

The remarks come days after Uhuru pushed back against critics calling on him to retire from politics, insisting he has a constitutional right to remain active and defend his party.

Speaking via phone during a Jubilee Party event, Uhuru dismissed calls for his silence, questioning why former leaders were not subjected to similar demands.

“When I speak one or two things, I am told I have retired and should go home. Why didn’t they tell Moi to retire and go home?” he posed.

He maintained that while he is not seeking elective office, he remains an active member of the Jubilee Party and has a right to defend it.

“I am in active politics, but I am not looking for any seat. I have a right to defend my political party and stand with it. I am a member of Jubilee by blood,” he said.

Uhuru also cited former US President Barack Obama as an example of retired leaders who continue to support their political parties.

However, his remarks have drawn criticism from a section of leaders allied to President William Ruto, who argue that his continued political engagement undermines his stature as a statesman.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula urged Uhuru to emulate former presidents who stepped back from partisan politics after leaving office.

“I respect Uhuru as a former president, but he should now serve as a beacon of peace, unity and a source of statesmanlike counsel,” Wetang’ula said during an event in Busia County.

Other leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, warned that continued criticism of the current administration could invite a direct political response.

“We are ready to take you head-on unless you stop criticising President Ruto,” Cheruiyot said.

The debate has also drawn in MPs Emmanuel Wangwe, Japheth Nyakundi, Nabii Nabwera, Geoffrey Mulanya and Innocent Mugabe, alongside Busia Governor Paul Otuoma and presidential aide Farouk Kibet, who collectively called on Uhuru to scale back his political engagements.

The leaders argued that retired presidents should focus on promoting unity, warning that sustained involvement in partisan politics risks deepening divisions.