Lands, Housing and Urban Development Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has urged retired President Uhuru Kenyatta to stop criticising President William Ruto, accusing him of fighting his successor instead of allowing him to govern.

Wahome argued that Kenyatta, having served two terms as president, should support the sitting Head of State rather than engage in political battles ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“There is no need for a retired president to fight a sitting president because at no time will he be elected again,” she noted.

Speaking during a consultative forum for community health promoters and village elders from Kangema and Kahuro sub-counties, Wahome defended Ruto’s leadership, arguing that his record in government would make it difficult for his political rivals to defeat him.

She maintained that Ruto had demonstrated commitment to public service even before becoming president, saying he fully supported the former president when he served as his deputy.

Wahome urged Kenyatta to stop directing his political energies at Ruto, saying the country needed leaders who could rise above personal differences and support national development.

Her remarks come amid sustained political exchanges between the two former allies as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

Kenyatta has in recent weeks challenged Ruto’s administration over its performance, accusing the President of repeatedly blaming his predecessor for the country’s problems instead of taking responsibility for his own record.

During a Jubilee Party meeting on September 22, Kenyatta questioned why the government continued to invoke his name nearly four years after he handed over power, insisting that the transition following the 2022 election had been peaceful.

He subsequently warned Mt Kenya voters against repeating what he considers the mistake of supporting Ruto in 2022.

Speaking during the October 3 burial of Mwalimu Jackson Karua in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, Kenyatta recalled that he had backed the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Martha Karua in that election.

The former president also dismissed claims that he was sponsoring opposition activities for personal political gain, maintaining that he was satisfied with his record in public service.

Ruto has responded by accusing Kenyatta of betraying him after years of political cooperation. During his development tour of Uasin Gishu County on October 12, the President recalled supporting Kenyatta’s presidential bids and expressed disappointment that he instead chose to support his opponents.

“I, William Ruto, voted for you four times. I stood with you when you began your journey to seek leadership,” Ruto stated, recounting their political partnership.

Wahome however insisted that Kenyatta’s support for the opposition will not work, saying he tried it with the Azimio coalition in 2022 and failed.

She defended the government’s development record, arguing that the Mt Kenya region had benefited from national government projects and had no reason to be persuaded to abandon Ruto’s leadership ahead of the next election.

She pointed to ongoing investments in roads, affordable housing, markets and sports infrastructure, saying the region had received its fair share of national resources.

The Cabinet Secretary maintained that the government would continue pushing for the completion of projects across the region, including road networks and markets, as part of its development agenda.

She also cited the broad-based government arrangement, arguing that cooperation among political leaders from previously divided camps offered an opportunity to reduce political hostility and promote national cohesion.

Wahome cautioned politicians against insults, name-calling and hatred during campaigns, urging them to compete on policies and development agendas without undermining national unity.

She argued that political competition should not leave the country divided once elections were over, noting that leaders had a responsibility to preserve relationships across communities.

Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, Kangema MP Peter Kihungi, nominated MP Sabina Chege and other government officials accompanied Wahome during the forum.

The renewed exchanges between Kenyatta and Ruto signal the growing political contest ahead of the 2027 elections, with the former president remaining involved in Jubilee Party affairs after handing over its formal leadership to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in September.

Kenyatta has indicated that he will remain in the party as a senior adviser as it prepares for the next election, while Matiang’i has been endorsed by Jubilee for the presidency.

 Ends