President William Ruto has opened a fresh battle with his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing him of being the main sponsor of the opposition as the 2027 battle takes shape.
The President, during a tour of his backyard on Thursday, took a swipe at his former boss, accusing him of being jealous of his achievements.
Ruto, in his outburst that has left political figures talking, claimed that he had done more in four years than Uhuru managed in his 10 years in power.
“When you look at their sponsor, didn't he fail to deliver on affordable housing, universal healthcare coverage and education?”
“Now he has gone to sponsor his proteges to come and compete with me. I will defeat them early in the morning because they have no plan, agenda, policies or vision,” the head of state said.
The attack has revived the bitter political contest between the two leaders, whose relationship collapsed after their bitter fallout after the 2018 Uhuru-Raila Odinga handshake.
The Kenyatta family is widely regarded as one of Kenya’s wealthiest families, with extensive business interests accumulated over decades.
The possibility that Uhuru could deploy his networks and financial resources in support of an opposition campaign has therefore become a subject of intense political speculation.
The former President remains the party leader of Jubilee and the chairman of the Azimio coalition.
The two roles, which Uhuru has refused to relinquish, gives him a central role in opposition strategy.
Ruto as incumbent is largely expected to dwarf the opposition in terms of campaign resources and logistics.
However, the possible involvement of Uhuru could tilt the scales.
Opposition leaders, however, have consistently denied receiving financial support from the retired President.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna recently dismissed claims that opposition leaders were getting money from Uhuru.
However, the denials have not ended questions about how the opposition is financing their elaborate political activities being witnessed across the country.
Questions have particularly been raised about whether the Linda Mwananchi public paybill donations drive is sufficient to facilitate the activities of the opposition coalition.
The opposition has been holding rallies, travelling across the country and organising meetings involving several senior politicians, raising questions about the source of funds supporting the activities.
Uhuru's hand has been cited by political observers in the hiring of helicopters and chartered flights, ground mobilisation and payment for events services, though no evidence has publicly emerged.
Opposition chiefs have responded to Ruto's latest attacks by accusing him of panicking and attempting to divert attention from his performance in office.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, during his tour of Nakuru county, said Ruto was using Uhuru as a distraction from growing public criticism of his administration.
“The discussion is on his misrule for the past four years. I want to tell Ruto that the problems you find yourself in and the woes you face were not caused by Uhuru Kenyatta; they are self-inflicted. President Ruto, leave Uhuru Kenyatta alone. He will not be on the ballot,” Gachagua said.
He added: “He needs to leave President Uhuru Kenyatta alone. He brought the problem on himself. President Uhuru Kenyatta isn't fighting you. Your main rival who will chase you away and send you home is Riggy G himself.”
Jubilee secretary-general Moitalel Kenta also hit back at the President, arguing that the renewed attacks on Uhuru were evidence of the former President's continuing political relevance.
“If retired President Kenyatta’s presence is such a threat, it is only because his record still stands as a mirror this administration would rather not look into. You do not spend four years attacking a private citizen unless his silence would say more than your speeches do,” Kenta said.
“If the loudest thing this administration can produce four years in is another smear campaign about Uhuru Kenyatta, then perhaps it is not him who owes the country an explanation,” he said.
Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu said Ruto's decision to attack Uhuru could itself be an indication that the former President remains an important factor in the coming election.
“The former president has the right to vote and support any candidate of his choice. In Ruto attacking him, it begs the question about his influence. It shows that he is struggling with his two-term campaign,” Mulu said.
The MP, a Kalonzo Musyoka ally, argued that the President could be coming to the acknowledgement that Uhuru remains a factor in the election.
“It could also show that the President knows something about Uhuru’s influence in the upcoming election, or the management of the same which we may not know because the president has access to intelligence,” Mulu said.
Pokot South MP David Pkosing, a Ruto ally, dismissed Uhuru’s influence, arguing that “Raila would have been president if Uhuru mattered that much.”
“President Ruto should leave them to us. The work he has done in the short period is around gives him a high chance of securing a second term,” the lawmaker said.
Political analyst Martin Andati said Ruto's focus on money could explain why he believes Uhuru is financing the opposition.
“Ruto believes so much in the politics of money and was sure that that was one of the major advantages he had over the opposition going into the election of 2027, so he thinks that since Uhuru Kenyatta has refused to embrace him and has so much money at his disposal then he must be the one funding the opposition activities as he doesn't see any other serious source of funds for the opposition,” Andati said.
He said Uhuru's importance goes beyond his financial resources, but also his political networks and experience having been at the helm for 10 years.
“Uhuru Kenyatta might not have substantial numbers at present but has money, intelligence networks and experience, having run for president once and lost then been elected twice and ruled for ten years,” Andati said.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka sought to dismiss Uhuru's alleged role while challenging Ruto to face him directly.
Using a proverb that “when a monkey is dying, all trees are slippery”, Kalonzo said Uhuru should not be dragged into the contest.
“I have asked Uhuru to stay away and allow me deal with Ruto man to man. There is no point of blaming Uhuru, blame me. I have defended Ruto before when I was vice president,” Kalonzo said.
Political observers, however, said the renewed Ruto-Uhuru war could be tied the 2027 race, particularly in the battle for Mt Kenya.
Uhuru remains an influential figure in the region despite leaving office and has maintained relationships with politicians across the country.
His possible involvement in opposition politics could therefore complicate Ruto's efforts to consolidate the Mt Kenya vote, which was central to his 2022 victory.
One observer said Ruto may be making a strategic mistake by returning to the old ‘dynasties versus hustlers’ narrative that helped define the 2022 campaign.
The observer argued that Ruto's administration must now be judged on its record rather than its attacks on the previous government.
