Why Uhuru is giving Ruto and UDA sleepless nights and how they aim to muzzle him

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is emerging as a central figure ahead of next year’s polls, giving his successor William Ruto and the ruling UDA sleepless nights over winning reelection.

Despite being out of office, Uhuru has maintained a quiet but far-reaching political presence, leveraging both his financial muscle and an extensive network of allies across the country.

Analysts say his influence is particularly strong in the Mt Kenya region, but also stretches into other parts of the country where he built alliances during his presidency.

Uhuru also remains the leader of the former ruling Jubilee Party, an outfit with nationwide presence.

This sustained clout has reportedly placed him higher on UDA’s watchlist than even some active opposition figures and parties, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP.

The Star has established that there are growing concerns within the ruling UDA that Uhuru could play a decisive behind-the-scenes role in the 2027 general election, a role seeking to make President Ruto a one-term head of state.

Apart from directly endorsing former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i as his favorite candidate, the former president is also seen as the only glue that can bring and hold opposition teams together to challenge Ruto.

Uhuru has also been previously linked to squabbles in the opposition with broad-based government. Ruto allies have accused him of funding the wildly popular Linda Mwananchi faction of ODM led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo.

In a calculated move to contain Uhuru’s influence, UDA allies have now turned to legislative and political tactics aimed at clipping his wings and dimming his influence.

Already, the Senate is considering a motion to diminish his influence and ‘ground him’ by denying him state resources while he is active on the political scene.

The move follows sustained attacks on Uhuru by President Ruto’s allies over his opposition political stance.

The proposal sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei seeks to strip the former president of his retirement benefits, an unprecedented step that could significantly affect his ability to operate politically. 

“The House recommends that any funds recovered from benefits previously accorded to the retired President shall be redirected to serve the interests and welfare of the people of Kenya,” Cherargei argues in his motion.

“The House recommends the revocation, variation or reallocation of budgetary provisions relating to the benefits of the retired President, in line with the findings of the audit/ what audit? and subject to approval in accordance with the law.”

Senator Cherargei argues that Uhuru’s benefits — funded by taxpayers — are contingent upon a retired president maintaining political neutrality, a condition he claims Kenyatta has breached.

“Parliament resolves that the retirement benefits and allowances accruing to the retired President be withdrawn and/or reduced,” the motion read.

The vocal senator cited provisions in law that allow such action if a former president engages in partisan politics. 

The lawmaker further requested that the Office of the Auditor-General conduct a comprehensive audit of all public resources allocated to Uhuru since his departure from office in 2022.

The proposal is anchored on concerns that the former president has remained actively involved in political affairs, contrary to the expectations outlined in the law.

Last week, Uhuru endorsed Matiang’i for president, and hit out at some politicians he said were critical of his continued involvement in politics. He was speaking with Jubilee members via phone during an event in Narok.

Those actions appeared to have unsettled Ruto’s camp.

Many of pro-Ruto supporters argue that former presidents should remain neutral and stay out of active politics.

Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot said respect for a retired president is tied to his adherence to the expectations of the office.

“If you behave like a retired president, people will respect you,” Cheruiyot said, “but if you misbehave, people will deal with you as such actions are supposed to be dealt with,”

The push to withdraw benefits, as a way of containing Uhuru politically, has sparked debate across the political divide. Some leaders warned that it could set a dangerous precedent in the treatment of former heads of state.

Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo has dismissed efforts to silence the former head of state and weaken his political leverage through the benefits motion as an exercise in futility.

The ODM lawmaker said such benefits are conferred on a retired president by the constitution and cannot be varied to his or her disadvantage.

“Some debates are really a waste of time. This purported motion by Cherargei is idle and not worthy of discussion,” Otiende said. “The benefits due to any former president cannot be altered to their disadvantage during their lifetime. We specifically inserted this in the constitution.”

Uhuru has maintained that he will not be silenced and will support his Jubilee Party, which is a major player in the coming polls.

The former head of state said he has the constitutional right to freedom of expression and to engage in politics, emphasising that he retains the liberty to speak to and on behalf of Jubilee and to belong to the party.

“Why do they always want me to remain silent?” Uhuru asked when he addressed Jubilee Narok delegates by phone last week. “They do not even want me at weddings and funerals of friends. They just want me to remain quiet like a dumb person.”

“When I talk just a little, they start shouting, telling me to retire and go home. Why didn’t they tell Moi to retire and go home?

“I have the right to stand with Jubilee. They are not only interfering with Jubilee, but they are also after other parties. They want to close all of them down. This is against multipartyism.”

Uhuru’s allies have also warned against attempts to silence the former president, insisting that, like any other Kenyan, he has every right to express himself.

Matiang’i defended his ex-boss’s right to speak, saying the constitution guarantees every person such freedom.

“In Nigeria, in the US, in the UK, former presidents and prime ministers speak, campaign and attend public forums, and the world does not come to an end,” he said while defending Uhuru’s political activities.

“A retired president makes one phone call and the government screams the whole weekend,” Matiang’i said. “What kind of people are these? You have a country to run, a government to run and yet all your time is spent insulting a retired president.”

Jubilee secretary-general Moitalel Ole Kenta was emphatic that the retired president will continue his political activities despite the threats.

“We are particularly concerned, and indeed, alarmed by reckless statements from certain political actors threatening punitive action against the former president, including the suggestion that his retirement benefits could be withdrawn,” Ole Kenta said.

“Retirement benefits for former presidents are not political favours to be granted or withdrawn at will. They are legal entitlements grounded in law, designed to preserve the dignity of the office and to ensure continuity and stability within our system of governance.”

Jubilee accused the ruling UDA party of looking for scapegoats through the use of Uhuru’s name.

“From the very first day this administration assumed office, it has sought to construct a political narrative anchored not in its own vision or delivery, but in the constant invocation of H E Uhuru Kenyatta as a point of blame, distraction, and deflection,” the secretary-general said. Every challenge becomes his legacy.

“Every failure is conveniently projected backwards. Every unmet promise is explained away by invoking his name. This approach is not only intellectually lazy; it is politically dishonest.”

The former Narok North MP termed the move to target Uhuru as a sign of panic from the ruling party ahead of 2027 election.

A lobby group has also moved to the High Court seeking to stop Parliament from considering a motion that could lead to the review and possible alteration of the former president’s retirement benefits.

In an urgent application filed on Tuesday, Sheria Mtaani, together with advocate Shadrack Wambui, argues that the parliamentary process is unconstitutional and violates rights protected under the constitution.