Ruto’s Uhuru offensive opens new 2027 battlefront

The political confrontation between President William Ruto and retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has entered a more pointed phase, with the former allies increasingly using each other as reference points in the battle over Kenya’s political direction ahead of the 2027 election.

Ruto has escalated his attacks on Uhuru, accusing his predecessor of undermining the government and refusing to embrace the role of a retired statesman.

During his Nyanza tour, Ruto told Uhuru to “respect your office” and accused him of opposing his administration and backing opposition forces.

The president also contrasted his administration’s record with what he described as the failures of the previous Government, citing housing, markets, roads and student accommodation as evidence of progress. He claimed the economy he inherited from Uhuru was “in tatters” but had since been stabilised.

Yesterday,

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 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.

The renewed confrontation, however, has provided Ruto’s opponents with fresh ammunition.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused Ruto of using Uhuru as a distraction from problems facing his administration, arguing that the President should confront economic and governance concerns rather than blame his predecessor.

Kiharu MP and PPK leader Ndindi Nyoro similarly challenged Ruto to stop attacking Uhuru and concentrate on the economy and education. Nyoro argued that Ruto was not competing with Uhuru and said the President should accord his predecessor the same respect he would expect after leaving State House.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has repeatedly told his successor, President William Ruto, to stop the “blame game”, focus on solving the economic challenges facing Kenyans, and deliver on campaign promises

At a Jubilee meeting in Kiambu in May, the retired president urged the government to address fuel prices and the rising cost of living rather than engage in blame games.

He argued that economic hardship affects Kenyans across ethnic and political lines and requires practical solutions.

That message has placed the former president directly in the political conversation even as he maintains his position outside government.

According to political pundits, Ruto’s decision to repeatedly invoke Uhuru therefore carries a political cost since it keeps the former president relevant while giving opponents a common issue around which to challenge the administration.