Ruto, allies told to stop using Uhuru as scapegoat

Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua have mounted a fresh defence of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, warning President William Ruto against dragging his predecessor into the political battles ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Wamatangi accused President Ruto and his allies of using the retired president as a scapegoat for problems facing the country, urging those in government to concentrate on delivering their mandates instead of monitoring Uhuru’s political activities.

Speaking during a Sunday service at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ngenia, Githunguri Constituency today, Sunday, August 16, 2026, the Kiambu governor said Uhuru left office four years ago and should be allowed to enjoy his retirement.

“Former President Uhuru Kenyatta left the office four years ago. Those in office should concentrate on their mandates, not preoccupying themselves with attacking Uhuru and dragging him into everything,” Wamatangi said.

He argued that the country was facing serious challenges requiring the attention of leaders currently holding public office.

“They should focus on discharging their mandate to serve Kenyans because they are the ones in office, not looking for a scapegoat by attacking someone who is retired. It seems their main job is to monitor what Uhuru does or says,” he said.

“This country faces huge problems and the former President is not one of them. Leaders should devote their energies towards finding solutions to the problems Kenyans are facing, but not monitoring what Uhuru does or says.”

Wamatangi added that elected leaders should take responsibility for their performance instead of blaming former office holders.

“Those of us who were elected are the ones who have work to do, not those who have retired. We need to be honest and truthful, not to look for excuses to attack others,” he said.

His remarks came as criticism of Uhuru intensified following President Ruto’s address in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on Thursday, August 13, in which the President accused an unnamed former political ally of sponsoring opposition leaders against his administration.

Although Ruto did not mention Uhuru by name, he appeared to refer to the retired President when he questioned his record in government and accused him of financing political opponents.

“Mkipima wale watu, yule sponsor wao alishindwa na mambo ya Affordable Housing? Alishindwa na mambo ya UHC? Alishindwa na maneno ya kusomesha watoto wetu?” Ruto said, questioning Uhuru’s record on affordable housing, universal healthcare and education.

The President further accused the unnamed sponsor of organising “political puppets” to challenge him and dismissed the opposition as lacking a clear policy agenda.

Ruto challenged his opponents to present their records, policies and manifestos rather than relying on political slogans and calls for his removal.

Kalonzo, however, directly called on the President to end what he termed unnecessary attacks against Uhuru and allow the former Head of State to retire with dignity.

Speaking at a church service at Redeemed Gospel Church in Kithimani Township, Machakos County, on Sunday, August 16, Kalonzo said Uhuru had earned respect as Kenya’s fourth President and should not be dragged into political disputes because of his association with the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition.

“I have myself said, if Ruto is attacking Uhuru because he is chair of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, I have advised him to leave that position so that you don’t throw mud unnecessarily at Uhuru Kenyatta,” Kalonzo said.

He appealed directly to Ruto: “And I now call Mr Ruto to order. President Ruto, I call you to order.”

Kalonzo cited Kenya’s tradition of peaceful transitions and respect for former Presidents, recalling how Daniel arap Moi handed power to Mwai Kibaki in 2002 and how Kibaki protected Moi’s interests after the latter retired.

He also recalled that Uhuru respected Kibaki, his former boss, and later presided over a constitutional handover of power to Ruto in 2022.

“Uhuru Kenyatta is the fourth President of the Republic of Kenya. Na lazima apewe heshima,” Kalonzo said.

“Jameni Bwana Ruto, wacha mheshimiwa Uhuru Kenyatta enjoy his retirement bila kumletea aibu,” he added.

Kalonzo warned that Kenya should avoid the political divisions experienced in Zambia following the departure of former President Kenneth Kaunda.

“We don’t want Kenya to go that way,” he said.

Gachagua also weighed into the controversy while speaking during a church service in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, accusing Ruto of shifting attention from the performance of his administration by attacking Uhuru.

He said Ruto should respond to the 49-point indictment he had raised against the government instead of focusing on his predecessor.

“Ndio sababu vile nimetoa taarifa yangu ya mambo 49 ambayo ameharibu. Kuliko kunijibu amegeukia matusi,” Gachagua said.

He challenged the President to stop targeting Uhuru, whom he said was not responsible for the problems confronting the current administration.

“Mimi nataka nikwambie William Ruto nikiwa hapa Gatundu nyumbani kwa Rais Uhuru Kenyatta tafadhali wachana na Rais Uhuru Kenyatta. Uhuru Kenyatta hajakuletea zile shida ambazo uko nazo, hizi shida umejiletea wewe mwenyewe,” Gachagua said.

The latest defence of Uhuru comes as political parties reposition themselves for the 2027 elections. Jubilee Secretary-General Moitalel Ole Kenta also defended the retired President on Saturday, questioning why a former Head of State remained a target of government attacks while Kenyans grappled with the cost of living and unemployment.

The growing political focus on Uhuru has added a new dimension to the emerging 2027 contest, with Ruto and his allies portraying him as a sponsor of the opposition while his defenders accuse the administration of using the former president to deflect attention from its own record in office.