A photo collage of UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi / FILEUnited Democratic Alliance leaders have hit back at retired President Uhuru Kenyatta after he said he still believes the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election.
UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi separately criticised the former President's remarks, with the leaders questioning his decision to revisit the election more than four years after the vote.
Uhuru made the remarks on Tuesday during a Jubilee Party meeting in Nairobi, where he said he and other leaders had done everything possible to support Raila's presidential bid.
"And votes were cast, and to this day, I know that he won that election. I know that. We know, we know!" Uhuru said.
The Supreme Court, however, upheld William Ruto's victory in the 2022 presidential election after considering petitions challenging the result.
Mutuse, speaking at a rally in Kalii, Makindu, said Uhuru had supported Raila's presidential bid but Kenyans made their own decision at the ballot.
"You were the President then. You supported Raila Odinga. You told him many things, but Kenyans made their own decision. We will not allow you to fool other leaders in Kenya," Mutuse said.
The Kibwezi West MP also called on Uhuru to respect the decision of the electorate and the current administration, while referring to the former President's two terms in office.
"Kenya has many families, but your family alone has ruled this country for 25 years. That should make you humble and make you respect Kenyans and the current leadership," Mutuse said.
Omar took a stronger line in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying Uhuru had failed to accept Ruto's victory.
He maintained that Ruto won the 2022 election and saying that Uhuru is continuing to dwell on the outcome of the contest.
“Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta continues to live and wallow ... William Ruto conclusively won the 2022 election,” Omar stated.
Omar also credited Ruto with helping Uhuru secure the presidency in the 2013 and 2017 elections, when Ruto served as his deputy.
"Truth be told, Uhuru would not have even won the 2013 and 2017 elections were it not for the vigorous campaign mounted by President Ruto, then as his running mate. He owes his two terms to President William Ruto," Omar said.
Sudi also weighed in, questioning why Uhuru had raised the issue several years after the election.
In remarks directed at the retired President, the Kapseret MP challenged Uhuru over the circumstances in which he handed over power in 2022.
Sudi maintained on questioning why Uhuru was revisiting the election outcome four years later and warning him against provoking his political opponents.
The renewed exchange comes as political parties and leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Uhuru made the remarks as he formally handed over the Jubilee Party leadership to former Interior Cabinet secretary Fred Matiang'i, while backing him to take charge of the party as it prepares for the next election.
The former President has also said he will remain a Jubilee member and take up a senior advisory role, while Matiang'i assumes the party's leadership ahead of its National Delegates Convention.
