Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has questioned former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent remarks that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election, asking why he handed over power to President William Ruto if he believed the election had been rigged.
Ruku made the remarks during a public engagement in Taveta Constituency, Taita Taveta County, where he challenged the former President to explain his actions during the transition of power.
“Why did he hand over to Ruto if he knew there was rigging?” Ruku posed.
Ruku said President Ruto was elected through what he described as a transparent, democratic and verifiable process, and defended the role of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in conducting elections.
The CS’s remarks came days after Uhuru publicly revived debate over the outcome of the 2022 presidential election, saying he remained convinced that Raila had won the contest.
Speaking during a Jubilee Party National Executive Council meeting in Nairobi on September 22, Uhuru said he and his allies 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 former President also questioned how the coalition supporting Raila could have performed strongly in parliamentary and county elections but failed to secure the presidency.
Ruku, however, challenged the former President over the subsequent transfer of power, questioning why his administration facilitated the transition if he believed the election outcome did not reflect the will of voters.
The official results declared by the IEBC showed Ruto receiving 7,176,141 votes, representing 50.49 per cent, against Raila’s 6,942,930 votes, or 48.85 per cent.
Raila challenged the presidential result at the Supreme Court, but the court dismissed the petitions and upheld Ruto’s election.
Ruku maintained that the electoral commission is an independent constitutional body mandated to oversee elections and defended the legitimacy of the 2022 presidential outcome.
The CS also criticised opposition leaders, accusing them of relying on what he described as rhetoric while failing to deliver when they previously held positions in government.
He argued that some opposition figures had served in senior government positions and should therefore be judged by their previous record in office.
Ruku’s remarks came as political parties and leaders continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Taveta MP John Bwire, who hosted and accompanied Ruku during the public engagement, defended the Kenya Kwanza administration’s record, saying the government had delivered various development projects and programmes in Taita Taveta County.
Bwire said residents were increasingly assessing leaders based on their delivery and track record rather than political affiliations.
