President William Ruto has opened up about his strained relationship with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing his predecessor of rejecting attempts to work together and instead choosing to remain actively involved in opposition politics.
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Nation, Ruto said he made several efforts to persuade Uhuru to embrace the role of a statesman after leaving office, arguing that his experience could help shape Kenya’s future beyond partisan politics.
Ruto disclosed that he personally visited Uhuru at his Ichaweri home and also held discussions with him at State House.
According to the President, the meetings were aimed at encouraging the former head of state to help develop a national vision rather than forming a political alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“I went to see him in Ichaweri and also at his office next door here and sought to persuade him that as a former head of state, the only one living now, please help us forge a new vision for the country,” Ruto said.
The President, however, claimed Uhuru was reluctant to take up the role he had envisioned for him.
Ruto said he believed Uhuru had an opportunity to rise above political competition and become a unifying figure after his retirement, but instead chose to remain involved in opposition activities.
“My predecessor had an option to become a statesman and rise above politics and become a unifying factor in our country. But he chose to climb down and become an opposition leader,” Ruto said.
The President further accused Uhuru of helping organise political forces opposed to his administration as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
Ruto also revealed what he described as Uhuru’s pessimistic assessment of his administration shortly after the 2022 election.
He claimed the former President had predicted that the new government would struggle with the economy and fail within its first three months.
The remarks come amid renewed political exchanges between the two leaders, whose relationship deteriorated during Uhuru’s second term after the former President’s 2018 rapprochement with Raila Odinga.
Ruto and Uhuru had previously been political allies, campaigning together under the Jubilee Party in the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections.
Their political partnership collapsed before the 2022 election, when Uhuru backed Odinga while Ruto successfully mounted his own presidential campaign.
The latest comments are likely to intensify scrutiny of Uhuru’s political role as opposition parties seek to build a formidable alliance ahead of 2027.
Recent reports have suggested that the former President remains an influential figure in efforts to coordinate opposition forces against Ruto.