Uhuru mocks Ruto with ‘sponyo’ jibe as political war escalates
Yesterday, Uhuru appeared to deliberately embrace the nickname yesterday during the burial of Christine Waruguru Kariuki in Gikuu, Kiharu, Murang’a County, where he avoided direct political confrontation with Ruto despite renewed attacks from the President.
Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has turned President William Ruto’s “sponyo” jibe into a punchline, laughing off the label even as the political war between the two former allies enters a new and increasingly personal phase.
Yesterday, Uhuru appeared to deliberately embrace the nickname yesterday during the burial of Christine Waruguru Kariuki in Gikuu, Kiharu, Murang’a County, where he avoided direct political confrontation with Ruto despite renewed attacks from the President.
“Asanteni sana, ni hayo machache kutoka kwa sponyo, na tutaendelea kuwa pamoja,” Uhuru told mourners, drawing laughter and turning a label used by his political opponents into a moment of humour.
The former president had earlier joked that speaking off the cuff had become “dangerous” because his remarks could be misinterpreted, prompting him to read a prepared condolence message instead.
His light-hearted response came days after Ruto escalated his attacks on his predecessor, accusing him of backing forces opposed to the Government and referring to him as a “rebel leader”—a description that has triggered criticism from Uhuru allies.
But while Uhuru kept politics out of his main address, those around him were less restrained.
Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i hit back at unnamed national leaders who, he said, were resorting to insults and statements that “don’t make sense”.
“When you see leaders, including national leaders, hurl insults, lie, saying things that don’t make sense, that is a story also about how they grew up,” Matiang’i said.
People’s Party of Kenya (PPK) leader and Kiharu Member of Parliament (MP) Ndindi Nyoro, who accompanied Uhuru and Matiang’i, appeared to shift the conversation beyond the 2027 contest, saying his eyes were already focused on what comes after the election, including free education from January 2028.
The gathering brought Uhuru, Matiang’i and Nyoro together at a politically sensitive moment, amid growing opposition consultations and shifting alliances ahead of 2027.
Elsewhere, Kalonzo Musyoka also defended Uhuru, while Embakasi East MP Babu Owino dismissed claims that the retired President was financing the Linda Mwananchi movement and played down reports of cracks within the opposition camp.
