Activist warns former President Uhuru Kenyatta against undermining Ruto

 

Eldoret-based human rights activist Kipkorir Ngetich has warned retired President Uhuru Kenyatta against what he described as attempts to undermine President William Ruto’s administration and mobilise opposition forces ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Ngetich, speaking on behalf of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Eldoret, said although the Constitution guarantees former President Kenyatta the right to participate in public affairs and express his political views, he should use his influence to promote peace, national unity and development rather than engage in political activities aimed at destabilising the sitting government.

The activist accused Kenyatta of supporting what he termed “underground movements” against President Ruto, claiming that the former Head of State was using his political networks and influence to strengthen opposition forces seeking to challenge the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Ngetich said Kenyatta, having served as President for two terms, should now play a unifying role by using diplomacy, charity and other national initiatives to bring Kenyans together.

He argued that the conduct expected of a retired President should be different from that of ordinary political actors, saying former Heads of State have a responsibility to safeguard the stability and unity of the country even after leaving office.

“Retirement should come with a responsibility to promote peace, unity and national development. A retired President has a wealth of experience that can be used to bring Kenyans together rather than deepen political divisions,” Ngetich said.

His remarks come at a time when Kenyatta's political activities and interactions with opposition leaders have increasingly attracted attention ahead of the 2027 elections.

Kenyatta has been involved in opposition consultations, while several opposition leaders have publicly acknowledged his role in bringing political actors together. Recent reports indicate that opposition leaders have been working on strategies to form a united political front against President Ruto.

Ngetich alleged that Kenyatta was seeking political revenge against Ruto following the fallout between the two leaders during and after the 2022 presidential election.

He claimed that the former President had failed to accept the political outcome of the 2022 election and was now working through political allies and proxies to weaken Ruto and eventually facilitate a change of government.

The activist further linked Kenyatta's alleged political activities to his growing association with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has emerged as one of the leading opposition figures seeking to challenge the Ruto administration.

Kenyatta and Gachagua have appeared together in several political settings in recent months, with Gachagua defending the former President against accusations that he is financing or directing opposition activities.

However, Gachagua has denied that Kenyatta is funding the opposition, saying the movement seeking political change is driven by Kenyans and does not depend on the former President's financial support.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has also rejected claims that Kenyatta is organising the opposition to face Ruto, saying opposition leaders were independently strategising for the 2027 election.

Despite those denials, Ngetich maintained that Kenyatta's political engagements were contributing to renewed ethnic and regional mobilisation, particularly in the Mount Kenya region.

He accused the former President and his political allies of attempting to isolate the Kikuyu community from President Ruto and use ethnic politics to build an opposition voting bloc.

Ngetich said the political approach amounted to a departure from what he described as the conduct of former Presidents Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki after leaving office.

According to him, former Presidents should demonstrate statesmanship and allow the country to move forward rather than remain deeply involved in political confrontations with their successors.

The activist also accused Kenyatta of seeking to return to power indirectly by supporting political proxies who, he claimed, could advance his interests and settle political scores.

“He may not be seeking the presidency directly, but the political networks being created can be used by proxies to advance an agenda against the sitting government,” Ngetich said.

He further challenged Kenyans to compare the development records of the previous administration with that of the current government, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, housing, youth empowerment and programmes targeting women.

Ngetich argued that the Ruto administration had undertaken significant development projects across the country and accused critics of failing to acknowledge the government's achievements.

He also dismissed claims that the current administration had failed to deliver on its development agenda, saying President Ruto had demonstrated what he described as a commitment to bringing together Kenyans from different regions.

The activist said political competition should be based on development programmes, accountability and national policies rather than ethnicity or personal disagreements between political leaders.

His comments come amid an increasingly charged political environment as parties and political leaders position themselves for the 2027 General Election.

Former Deputy President Gachagua has repeatedly challenged Ruto to focus on his political opponents rather than Kenyatta. On September 16, Gachagua said Kenyatta was not the President's opponent in the next election and argued that the contest would be between Ruto and the political forces seeking to remove him from office.

Ruto has, meanwhile, accused Kenyatta of being behind some of the political figures and movements seeking to challenge his administration, claims that opposition leaders have rejected.

Ngetich called on political leaders across the country to avoid rhetoric that could deepen ethnic divisions, saying Kenya needed peaceful political competition ahead of the next General Election.

He urged Kenyans to scrutinise the policies, records and programmes of all political leaders instead of allowing political disagreements to degenerate into ethnic mobilisation.

The human rights activist further called on former government officials, particularly retired Presidents, to use their experience to promote national cohesion and peaceful coexistence.

He said Kenya had made significant progress in building a multi-ethnic democracy and should not allow political competition to reverse gains made in national integration.

Ngetich appealed to what he described as peace-loving Kenyans to reject politics based on hatred, revenge and tribal mobilisation, and instead support political engagement centred on development and national unity.

He maintained that political differences between Ruto and Kenyatta should not be allowed to divide ordinary Kenyans, arguing that the country's interests should take precedence over individual political ambitions and past disagreements.