Jubilee, Gachagua blast Ruto allies over ‘Uhuru blame game’

The Jubilee Party has condemned the government over what it described as the continued blaming of former President Uhuru Kenyatta for the country’s worsening economic crisis, accusing the current administration of failing to provide solutions to Kenyans’ problems.

In a statement signed by the party’s Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta today, May 20, 2026, Jubilee said the government had run out of ideas and had resorted to dragging Uhuru and his family into political theatrics instead of addressing the rising cost of living and economic hardship facing citizens.

The party said the continued attacks on the former Head of State amounted to an admission that the administration lacked credible answers to the country’s economic challenges.

The remarks came as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also criticised Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for repeatedly comparing President William Ruto’s administration with that of Uhuru whenever the country faces difficulties.

Speaking during a press briefing in the United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Gachagua said the Kenya Kwanza administration should take full responsibility for the current state of the economy instead of shifting blame to the previous regime.

“Uhuru is no longer the president. The current president is William Ruto and he should be held accountable for the situation Kenyans are facing today. He cannot blame Uhuru,” Gachagua said.

The former Deputy President argued that the previous administration handed over a functioning government with stable systems in key sectors such as education and healthcare, as well as relatively affordable fuel prices.

He claimed that nearly four years into office, the current administration was still blaming its predecessor rather than solving the country’s economic problems.

“Uhuru handed over a country that was working with a working education system, health system and four years down the line, there is no country,” Gachagua stated.

He also pointed to rising fuel prices, noting that matatu operators did not stage strikes during Uhuru’s tenure because fuel prices had only risen to around Sh135 per litre, unlike the current situation where prices have surpassed Sh200 per litre.

Gachagua’s remarks followed recent comments by Murkomen, who urged transport operators to avoid industrial action over the rising cost of fuel, arguing that similar challenges had been experienced during Uhuru’s administration without paralysing transport services.

“The leaders of the matatu industry at that point in time never protested against the government. You should ask yourselves why did they feel that it was okay to understand Uhuru Kenyatta, but when it is President Ruto, they should go to the streets,” Murkomen said.

Jubilee, now associated with its 2027 presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i, accused the government of hiding behind Uhuru’s name whenever its failures are exposed.

“The current leadership must now find the way to govern with the same focus instead of hiding behind his name every time their failures are exposed. Leave President Uhuru and his family out of your incompetence, face Kenyans and account for your record,” the party said.

The party further questioned the government over the use of levies imposed on fuel, particularly the Road Maintenance Levy, alleging that funds meant for road infrastructure had instead been used to secure unexplained loans.

“How much has been borrowed? Under what terms? And at what cost to the taxpayer?” Jubilee posed.

At the same time, the party criticised what it termed as the lavish lifestyles of individuals close to the President, alleging that proximity to power had enabled them to accumulate unexplained wealth.

The latest political exchanges come amid growing accusations from some Kenya Kwanza leaders that Uhuru is backing opposition activities ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Recently, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale accused the former President of being uncomfortable with the current administration’s performance.

Speaking during a tour of Turbo in Uasin Gishu County on May 8, 2026, Duale claimed that Uhuru was envious of the achievements made by President Ruto’s administration within three years in office, particularly in the housing sector.