Tables turn as politicians jostle for new ‘kingmaker’ Uhuru Kenyatta

Recent statements by Kenya’s Fourth President, Uhuru Kenyatta on topical issues seem to have placed him at the center of the country’s political scene, in the process raising a storm and ruffling some feathers.

His persistent message, particularly to the youth to use their energies and fight for their rights seems to have hit a wrong chord with some politicians who accuse him of meddling in the country’s leadership despite being in retirement.

After the retired president made the latest comments while addressing a regional conference for youth in Uganda, it attracted harsh reactions from leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration.

Some of President William Ruto’s allies even warned the former president to tone down his apparent political rhetoric, threatening to initiate the slashing of his retirement benefits.

On the other hand, there’s a new scramble for Uhuru’s attention and defence by politicians notably from Central Kenya, a region that at one time openly defied and ostracized their own son when he was in power for supporting President William Ruto’s rival, now turned ally; ODM party leader Raila Odinga in the last general elections.

This could be a signal of the return of Uhuru as the inevitable kingmaker come 2027 presidential polls as politicians’ jostle for his support and attention in the ongoing political realignments.

No less than former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua himself, Uhuru’s former vicious critic appears to be warming up to Uhuru, recently sending a stern warning to government critics of the former head of state.

Gachagua while speaking at his Wamunyoro residence last Sunday, said

he would personally defend and protect the former President from political attacks moving forward.

While hosting several opposition figures, he hinted that President Ruto may be sending politicians allied to him to attack Uhuru on his behalf.

“You have sent people to attack the fourth President of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta. Stop using your puppets, do it yourself,” Gachagua fumed.

The former DP had hosted opposition leaders, including Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, PLP’s Martha Karua, DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa and former Cabinet Secretaries Justin Muturi and Mithika Linturi, along with former MP Kabando wa Kabando, who had visited Wamunyoro.

Uhuru has recently come under fire from some officials in the Kenya Kwanza administration, who allege that he has been inciting the youth through his public statements. Some claimed the former President was rallying young people against the government.

These claims follow remarks he during the second annual Guild Leaders’ Summit at Makerere University in Uganda, where he urged young people to take ownership of the continent’s future.

He estated: “You are the last line of defence in the battle to rescue the heart and soul of Africa.”

Again on Friday, while speaking at the wedding reception of the son of former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, the former President stated that he has opted to remain silent to avoid conflicts, because each time he speaks, he seems to get into trouble from some quarters.

“I prefer to keep my mouth shut because these days nobody wants to listen to a politician who, every time he opens his mouth, seems to get himself in trouble with the powers that be,” he remarked.

In another recent turn of events, former Nyeri Town MP Ngujiri Wambugu, a staunch supporter and ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, defected to Uhuru’s Jubilee Party.

He says the move was by precipitated by Gachagua’s failure to mend fences with Uhuru.

Elsewhere, former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi registered his support for Uhuru’s call on the Gen-Zs to fight for their rights.

Mwathi lashed out at politicians castigating the retired President, terming them as politically myopic and retrogressive individuals.

“Uhuru was within his democratic rights of freedom of expression just like all of us and hence those rebuking him are either ignorant of the constitution or are KK government cheerleaders,” he said.

Mwathi also led a section of Jubilee party members in demanding that Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni be thrown out office, terming him a state project and a sellout.

The former legislator went on to describe Kioni as “egoistically selfish, informed by inducement and seeking overtures from State House.”

The former Ndaragwa MP has also been accused of opposing a truce between Uhuru and Gachagu and subsequently, he has since been tactfully but quietly sidelined from the party’s key decision-making platforms.

Consequently, he has since been tactfully but quietly sidelined from the party’s key decision making platforms.

Despite being the party spokesperson, his role has been taken by party chairman Saitoti Torome who is now the face of Jubilee political party in national matters.

Kioni was conspicuously absent during last Saturday’s Wamunyoro prayer-cum- political meeting which was attended by all the main opposition bigwigs hosted by Gachagua at his rural home.

Mwathi further reiterated his earlier call on Uhuru and Gachagua to bury the hatchet for the sake of the region’s unity.

He said that once united under one umbrella body, the region will be in a position to form a formidable coalition with leaders from other regions and which will easily wrestle power from current regime during the 2027 polls.

“All leaders of sound mind should and must join hands to liberate this country from the yokes of the repressive Kenya Kwanza regime. Otherwise, we shall have no country to bequeath to our children,” Mwathi said.