President William Ruto escalated his political feud with predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta during a series of public rallies in Uasin Gishu County, publicly accusing the retired head of state of acting as a key “sponsor” and financier for opposition groups aiming to destabilize his administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Rising Political Friction
Addressing crowds in Eldoret and Huruma, Ruto claimed Kenyatta failed to deliver key developmental projects—including Universal Health Coverage and Affordable Housing—during his tenure. He argued that Kenyatta is now funding political proxies to challenge the current administration’s record rather than engaging in policy-based competition.
Senior government officials and Kenya Kwanza allies, including Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, supported the allegations, claiming Kenyatta is behind political groups such as the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Opposition Pushback
Opposition figures swiftly rejected the accusations. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna clarified that while opposition leaders maintain dialogue with Kenyatta as part of the Azimio coalition, the former president provides political advice rather than financial backing. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka accused Ruto of creating scapegoats to divert attention from pressing economic challenges facing the nation.
Key Takeaways
- Direct Accusation: Ruto publicly labeled Uhuru Kenyatta as a primary financial backer of opposition efforts.
- Focus on 2027: The administration frames the alleged funding as an early effort to undermine Ruto’s re-election campaign.
- Opposition Denial: Opposition leaders confirm political consultations with Kenyatta but deny receiving monetary support.
Looking Ahead
As political alignments shift ahead of 2027, the friction between the current administration and the former president is expected to intensify, shaping upcoming coalition strategies across Kenya.
