Uhuru fires back at Ruto: Kenyans will choose their president in 2027

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has trashed claims that he is sponsoring opposition activities against the Kenya Kwanza administration, telling President William Ruto and other political leaders to allow Kenyans to freely choose their preferred leaders in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking yesterday, Sunday, August 23, 2026, during the 23rd anniversary commemoration of former Vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, Uhuru used humour and pointed political remarks to distance himself from allegations that he is funding efforts to destabilise the government.

“Jameni… Jameni chungeni. Mimi sitaki kuitwa sponsor, bana. Mimi sitaki mambo mengi,” Uhuru said, drawing laughter and cheers from the crowd.

The former President said the decision on who should lead Kenya belongs exclusively to voters and warned against attempts by political leaders to force citizens into particular political camps.

“Wakenya wana haki ya kujichagulia viongozi wanaowapenda, kama wanataka Kalonzo, ni Kalonzo, wakisema wanataka Ruto, ni Ruto, wakisema wanataka Matiang’i ni Matiang’i. Na wakisema ni Sifuna, ni Sifuna,” he said.

“Mimi nimesema ya kwamba, chaguo ni la nani? Chaguo ni la nani? Na hakuna haja ya kulazimisha Mkenya yeyote kwenda upande huu au upande huu. Wakenya watajichagulia wenyewe.”

His remarks come amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 elections and renewed accusations that he is backing opposition politicians.

Uhuru, who served as President from 2013 to 2022, has increasingly featured in political debates over the direction of the opposition and possible presidential alliances.

Immediate former Senate Deputy Minority Leader Edwin Sifuna has previously defended Uhuru against claims that the former president is financing opposition activities. He challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence.

“Yule jamaa amebeba akili yote ya Kenya aliulizwa swali mboga sana, atoe evidence Uhuru ndio sponsor ya upinzani akasema hata yeye alisoma kwa gazeti…na anadai sisi ndio mafala,” Sifuna said.

Uhuru also called on politicians to campaign peacefully and respect the right of rival groups to hold political meetings.

“Na mimi naomba viongozi wa kisiasa, twende kwa wananchi kwa amani. Tuhubiri yale ambayo tuko nayo kwa amani,” he said.

He warned that attempts to prevent political rivals from holding meetings would undermine the country’s democratic progress.

“Hii mambo ya kuzuia wengine kufanya mikutano, ya kufanya nini, ya kufanya nini, ni kurudisha Kenya nyuma,” he said.

The former president linked his call for political tolerance to the legacy of Wamalwa, whom he described as a politician who pursued public service without turning political differences into personal hostility.

“Michael Kijana Wamalwa was a leader of our nation, Kenya, but he was also my friend. Today, as we remember him, we also remember his contribution to Kenyan society. Although he was a politician, he was a gentleman. He was not a man of conflict or insults,” Kenyatta said.

He recalled that despite belonging to different political sides, his relationship with Wamalwa remained cordial.

“Even though we belonged to different political sides, our political differences never became enmity,” he added.

Kenyatta described Wamalwa as “one of the better angels of our nature” and “the gentleman of Kenya’s politics”, citing integrity, sobriety, maturity and decency as defining features of his public life.

He said Wamalwa and other leaders made significant sacrifices in the struggle for democracy, including the right of citizens to freely determine their political leadership.

“Let us also remember that Kijana Wamalwa, together with others, sacrificed greatly to fight for democracy in our country; to defend the freedom of Kenyans to choose the leaders they want,” Kenyatta said.

“No one can take away a right that was fought for through sacrifice and say that people no longer have the right to stand wherever they choose,” he added.

Uhuru urged Kenyans to protect democratic freedoms and cautioned against practices that could reverse gains made over decades.

“We are a democratic society, and those democratic ideals were fought for very hard by the man, among others, whom we honour today. And we cannot allow ourselves to go backwards,” he said.

The commemoration was held at Wamalwa’s family home in Kitale and also marked the launch of My Country First, a book documenting the former Vice President’s life, public service and contribution to Kenya.

Wamalwa died in London on August 23, 2003.

The memorial brought together politicians from across the political divide, including former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang’i, former Attorney General Justin Muturi, former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu and People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua.

The gathering provided a platform for reflection on Wamalwa’s political legacy while placing renewed attention on the competing political positions and alliances emerging ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.