Ruto mount attacks against Uhuru, accuse him of backing opposition

President William Ruto yesterday intensified his political attacks on retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing his predecessor of financing and organising opposition leaders to undermine his administration and challenge him ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking to his Eldoret backyard residents yesterday Uasin Gishu County, on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in a veiled but pointed attack, Ruto appeared to identify Uhuru as the sponsor behind a growing Opposition movement and political leaders seeking to rally Kenyans against his administration.

The president questioned Uhuru’s record in office, arguing that his predecessor failed to deliver on affordable housing, Universal Health Coverage and education before allegedly turning to political efforts aimed at removing the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“Mkipima wale watu, ule sponsor wao, alishindwa na maneno ya Affordable Housing? Alishindwa na mambo ya Universal Health Coverage? Alishindwa na maneno ya kusomesha watoto wetu?” Ruto posed.

“Sasa ameenda kupanga vibaraka wake, anatuma hapa watu kuja kushindana na mimi. Hawa watu nitawaosha asubuhi na mapema. Wale watu, umeskia maono ama sera zao? Wale majamaa hawana mpango, sera, agenda na hata akili.”

Ruto challenged his opponents to present their policy alternatives instead of relying on political slogans calling for his removal.

“Kila kiongozi anapimwa na kazi amefanya. Hakuna mtu atakuja kututapeli hapa ati kasongo, one term, must go, alafu tumpe kazi, hiyo ni ufala bana,” he said.

Ruto pointed to affordable housing projects, markets and hostels being constructed across the country as evidence of his administration’s development agenda, particularly in creating employment for young people.

He also told youth working on the projects to prepare for further opportunities, saying he intended to expand the programme if re-elected.

“Nyinyi vijana, hii kazi ya Affordable Housing mkimaliza, niko na kazi ingine. Anzeni kujipanga. Hii kazi nataka tuendelee kwa miaka 20, tufanye Kenya iwe construction site, ndo Kenya iwe nchi ambayo tunaweza kujivunia,” Ruto said.

The latest attack marks an escalation in a sustained campaign by senior Kenya Kwanza figures against Uhuru, whom they have increasingly accused of remaining active in Opposition politics despite leaving office.

Ruto’s lieutenants have repeatedly demanded that the former President exit active politics, while simultaneously portraying him as a behind-the-scenes force attempting to mobilise young Kenyans against the government.

The accusations first gained prominence around the Linda Mwananchi movement, with senior Kenya Kwanza politicians alleging that Uhuru was financing demonstrations and political activities directed at the Ruto administration.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot was among those who launched a blistering attack on the movement, accusing its members of being sponsored to discredit the President.

Speaking during an empowerment event in Taita Taveta County on July 24, Cheruiyot alleged that Uhuru was behind the campaign.

“Wiki iliyopita wale wakora wa sijui Linda nini walikuwa hapa. Wacha niwaambie, kama kuna drug dealers, washerati, extortionists, wezi na wakora, ni kile kikundi kilikuwa hapa. Nawajua wote,” Cheruiyot said.

“Eti sasa wananunuliwa na yule jamaa mstaafu, eti endeni mkamchafulie jina Rais na kutuambia eti one term…”

The accusations have since shifted from claims that Uhuru was financing protests to broader allegations that he is sponsoring Opposition leaders and political proxies seeking to challenge Ruto in different parts of the country.

But Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has repeatedly dismissed the claims, insisting that Uhuru has neither funded Linda Mwananchi nor provided its leaders with a political strategy.

Speaking on Citizen TV’s The Explainer on July 28, 2026, Sifuna was categorical when asked whether Uhuru was financing the movement.

“No, he’s not,” Sifuna said.

Sifuna explained that Linda Mwananchi had instead sought public support for its activities and had launched an M-Pesa Paybill through which supporters could contribute towards rallies, logistics and security.

The senator acknowledged that he remains in contact with Uhuru but said the communication was largely because the retired President remains the leader of Azimio.

“I speak to him because he’s the party leader of Azimio. I do speak to Uhuru, yeah. He does not provide financial assistance, maybe just encouraging us,” Sifuna said.

He also rejected claims that Uhuru was providing strategic direction to the movement.

“No. None at all,” Sifuna said when asked whether the former President had offered the group political strategy.

According to Sifuna, Uhuru’s public intervention has largely centred on encouraging young Kenyans to take an active role in politics and seek elective positions.

“When he speaks, and he does it in public, he says young people need to be encouraged to take leadership. You’ve heard him saying it,” Sifuna said.

He noted that some young Kenyans had responded to the call by expressing interest in political positions ranging from Members of County Assembly to Members of Parliament, senators and governors.

Ruto’s renewed accusations therefore open another front in the increasingly bitter political contest ahead of 2027, with the President now directly linking Uhuru to leaders attempting to build an alternative political coalition.

The former President, who has largely maintained a lower public profile since leaving office, has nevertheless remained an influential figure within Azimio politics and has publicly encouraged young people to participate in leadership.

Ruto’s remarks in Eldoret suggest that the Kenya Kwanza camp increasingly views Uhuru’s influence and his links with opposition figures as a political threat as the 2027 contest takes shape.

The president has framed the emerging contest as a choice between his administration’s development record and an opposition he accuses of having no clear programme beyond “one term” and “must go”.