President William Ruto during a meeting with journalists at the Statehouse/ScreengrabPresident William Ruto has accused his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta of failing to move on from his defeat in the 2022 presidential election, escalating their political rivalry as the 2027 contest takes shape.
Ruto said Uhuru’s continued involvement in opposition politics was rooted in frustration over the election loss, claiming the former president had expected his administration to collapse within months of taking office.
“It is an open secret that my predecessor has not gotten out of what happened in 2022. That despite everything he did, I won the election,” Ruto said while addressing journalists at the Statehouse.
The President was responding to renewed focus on Uhuru’s role in opposition politics after the former president chaired an Azimio meeting on August 3, amid efforts to build a broad coalition to challenge Ruto in 2027.
Ruto had earlier alluded that Uhuru was behind efforts to consolidate opposition forces, accusing him of supporting and organising political allies to challenge his administration.
The accusations marked a sharp deterioration in relations between the two leaders, who worked together for a decade before falling out after Ruto was left out of Uhuru’s succession plans.
Ruto went on to defeat Azimio candidate Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential election, winning 50.5 per cent of the vote, with the Supreme Court later upholding his victory.
In Eldoret on August 13, Ruto questioned Uhuru’s record on affordable housing, universal healthcare and education, saying his former boss had failed to deliver on issues he was now criticising the Kenya Kwanza administration over.
The President said Uhuru had predicted before a meeting of the Azimio Parliamentary Group that his government would fail within three months, arguing that the former president was aware of the difficult economic circumstances the country faced at the time.
Ruto said the prediction had not materialised, pointing to lower inflation, improved foreign exchange reserves, managed interest and exchange rates and increased investor confidence as evidence of economic recovery.
“The country did not default. The tattered economy that he left is in a different place today,” he said.
He further said that Kenya had risen to become Africa’s sixth-largest economy under his leadership, despite the difficult economic circumstances he said his administration inherited.
Uhuru has rejected accusations that he is sponsoring opposition politicians or seeking to return to active politics, insisting instead that Kenyans should be allowed to freely choose their leaders in 2027.
Speaking in Kitale on Sunday during a memorial service for former Vice-President Michael Kijana Wamalwa, the retired president said he had no interest in seeking political office and rejected the description of him as a political sponsor.
“It’s the people who will decide. If they say it is Kalonzo, Ruto, Matiang’i, or Sifuna, it will be so. I don’t want to be called a sponsor; I have just said the power belongs to the people,” Uhuru said.
Uhuru said his past leadership was an opportunity given to him by Kenyans and that he is now content to leave the choice of the country's next leaders to the electorate.
“If you want votes, ask Kenyans politely; they will give them to you or deny you. I asked them at first and I was denied. I came back again, and they voted for me. People should not come out and say that whatever I’m saying, I am politicking. I have no interest in any position. I thank God for the years he has given me in leadership. I thank Kenyans for giving me that chance,” he said.
The former President also urged Kenyans not to allow themselves to be divided or intimidated during the political season.
“Kenyans are the ones who will decide whom they want. Kenyans should know that everyone will come out saying they want this opportunity, but God decides that it is only one person,” Uhuru said.
“If they want what is good, they should find a way to be united, walk together and be respectful to each other. For you Kenyans, do not agree to be scolded, unite and be a one thing."
The exchange comes as opposition leaders intensify efforts to build a coalition capable of challenging Ruto, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa among those positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 election.
Uhuru’s engagement with opposition figures is likely to remain a point of contention as the political battle gathers momentum, with Ruto seeking to defend his administration’s record while his opponents push for a change of government.
