Wahome Thuku has questioned President William Ruto’s decision to repeatedly attack his former boss, Uhuru Kenyatta, over the retired president’s alleged involvement in opposition politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement responding to Ruto’s recent remarks on Friday, September 18, Thuku acknowledged that the President was entitled to criticise Uhuru politically but argued that some of his claims, particularly those made while addressing the Luo community in Nyanza, risked creating confusion about the events of the 2022 presidential election.
Thuku said Ruto appeared determined to frame the 2027 political contest as a direct battle between himself and Uhuru.
“Three or four times now, you have attacked your former boss Uhuru Kenyatta accusing him of financing the opposition to beat you next year. Fair enough, I have no problem with that. It's just politics. You want the whole game to be Ruto-V-Uhuru 2027,” Thuku stated.
However, the lawyer took issue with Ruto’s criticism of Uhuru for allegedly failing to support him during the 2022 presidential election.
Thuku questioned how Ruto expected voters in Luo Nyanza to interpret such an accusation, given Uhuru’s decision at the time to support Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
“When Uhuru refused to support you, he threw his entire weight behind the King of the Luo, Raila Odinga,” Thuku said.
He further reminded Ruto of the President’s own description of the 2022 contest, particularly his statement that he had defeated his opponents while they had the government.
Thuku argued that the plural reference in Ruto’s statement was significant because the main political figures on the opposing side were Uhuru and Raila, although Raila was the presidential candidate on the ballot.
“It's Raila who was in the ballot paper with you. It's Raila who received 99% of the Luo votes. It's Raila who you defeated hands down after receiving 90% of the Kikuyu votes. It's Raila who went to the Supreme Court,” he wrote.
According to Thuku, the 2022 electoral outcome was straightforward from a voting perspective, with the Kikuyu community largely supporting Ruto while the Luo community largely backed Raila.
“In 2022, Kikuyus with Ruto won. Luos with Raila lost. Plain and simple,” he stated.
Thuku nevertheless acknowledged that there are Luo leaders who hold a different interpretation of Uhuru’s role in the 2022 election. He cited former Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga and activist Robert Alai as among those who have argued that Uhuru’s strategy may have indirectly benefited Ruto.
The lawyer ultimately urged Ruto to consider the political context and audience whenever he criticises Uhuru in Nyanza.
“Before you attack Uhuru in Luo land, think about the audience. You may just be attacking the very fellows you are addressing,” Thuku said.