The Office of the Fourth President of Kenya has dismissed as fake a statement circulating online purporting that retired President Uhuru Kenyatta rejected repeated requests to meet former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The fake document claims that Gachagua had sought a meeting with Uhuru through several intermediaries.
It further purports to state that Uhuru considered the requests but declined them.
It is presented as a press release from the Office of the Fourth President of the Republic of Kenya and bears Kanze Dena’s name and signature.
The document also contains remarks on Gachagua’s political relationships with other leaders.
However, the office has dismissed the circulating document as fake, cautioning against treating it as an official communication from the retired president's office.
The fake statement comes amid continued public interest in the relationship between Uhuru and Gachagua.
On May 3, Gachagua signalled that the United Opposition could turn to retired President Uhuru for support ahead of the 2027 General Election if circumstances demand.
Gachagua said while the opposition is currently confident of unseating President William Ruto on its own, it would not hesitate to seek Uhuru’s backing should the political landscape shift.
“Uhuru did his work, and he is supposed to rest, but that does not mean we cannot call him when the need arises. If we see this man is too strong for us, we will call Uhuru to help us,” Gachagua said.
He, however, maintained that the opposition remains capable of mounting a strong challenge without external reinforcement.
“We are not there yet. As of now, I can bring him down without Uhuru’s help. I am okay with my colleagues,” he added.
Gachagua stated that if the situation requires, he would personally reach out to the former Head of State.
“If the situation demands that we recall Uhuru from retirement to come and help us fix this country and get good governance, we shall do so. I will personally go to his home and ask that he helps us, but we are fine so far,” he said.
Allies of Ruto have recently criticised Uhuru, accusing him of engaging in divisive politics and attempting to destabilise the current administration.
Despite the criticism, Uhuru has defended his right to participate in national discourse, arguing that retirement from office does not strip him of his constitutional freedoms.
He has previously urged Ruto to emulate the late President Mwai Kibaki, whom he praised for allowing his predecessor, the late Daniel arap Moi, to express dissenting views without interference.
Gachagua echoed similar sentiments, defending Uhuru’s continued engagement in political matters and cautioning against attempts to silence him.
“Those leaders should leave Uhuru alone. He is our leader, and you cannot say that because he is retired, his mind is also retired. He still has an opinion,” Gachagua said.
“He still has constitutional rights-freedom of expression, the right to express opinion, to have a political choice, and freedom of assembly,” he added.
