Uhuru reopens 2022 political poll ‘war’: ‘Raila won’

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has today dramatically reopened the 2022 presidential election dispute, declaring that he remains convinced the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga won the election despite William Ruto being declared the winner and the Supreme Court upholding his victory.

In a major political intervention that could reshape the opposition realignment ahead of the 2027 General Election, Uhuru said he knew what happened after Kenyans cast their ballots and warned that whatever happened in 2022 should not be repeated in the next presidential contest.

The former president made the explosive declaration today during a Jubilee Party National Executive Council meeting in Nairobi, where he also defended his record in the 2022 campaign, backed former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i for the presidency and handed over the Jubilee leadership to Matiang’i ahead of the party’s National Delegates Convention.

Referring to Raila as “Baba”, Uhuru said Jubilee and its allies had done everything possible to help him win the presidency.

“Tulifanya kila kitu kumsaidia Baba awe Rais wa Jamhuri yetu ya Kenya. Na kura akapata, na mimi mpaka wa leo najua ya kwamba yeye ndiye alishinda hiyo kura. Tunajua vile mambo ilienda, na hatutaki iende hivyo tena.”

“We did everything to help Baba become President of the Republic of Kenya. He got the votes and, to this day, I know that he is the one who won that election. We know how things happened, and we do not want it to happen that way again.”

Uhuru went further, questioning how the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition could have secured a strong showing in parliamentary and gubernatorial elections while losing the presidency.

“How can you say you won yet we have most Members of Parliament, Senators and Governors? How could you say we lost?” he posed.

The remarks have reopened a political controversy that was settled in law after the August 9, 2022 election, although questions surrounding the campaign and tallying have continued to generate political debate.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Ruto the winner with 7,176,141 votes, representing 50.49 per cent, against Odinga’s 6,942,930 votes, or 48.85 per cent. The Supreme Court subsequently dismissed the presidential election petitions and upheld Ruto’s victory.

Uhuru’s assertion that Raila won therefore contradicts both the official tally and the Supreme Court’s determination.

The former president nevertheless appeared determined to defend himself against accusations that he failed to support Raila sufficiently during the campaign.

“I am shocked to hear people saying that we did not help Baba, saying that Uhuru Kenyatta did not win. I was not the one at the ballot; I was just Raila’s handyman,” he said.

His remarks come against the backdrop of renewed blame games within the former Azimio camp over the coalition’s defeat.

Former Raila chief agent Saitabao Kanchory has previously blamed the dismantling of campaign structures for some of the problems encountered during the election.

“We went wrong the minute we dismantled the structures we had; the campaign board was supposed to run everything, but some individuals who wanted to have their agenda individualised it,” Kanchory said in an interview with NTV.

Then Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni also questioned the handling of the tallying process by IEBC.

Ole Kenta is the current Jubilee Secretary General.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, meanwhile, defended Suna East MP Junet Mohamed against allegations that he mishandled funds intended for Azimio election agents, while questioning Uhuru’s role in the 2022 campaign and his subsequent political fallout with Ruto.

Uhuru sought to close the blame game by warning politicians against turning the opposition into a battlefield of personal attacks.

“Using dirty politics will not take us anywhere; let nobody try to divide us. What does it help you? Share your manifesto,” he said.

He also appeared to dismiss criticism from Ruto and his allies, making clear that he would continue speaking out.

“I will speak. I do not fear. Let them insult me and do what they want,” he said.

At the Jubilee meeting, Uhuru also defended his decision to support Matiang’i for the presidency in 2027, citing the former CS’s character and record.

“He is respectful, he is not corrupt, he loves Kenyans, he is a hard worker,” Uhuru said.

Matiang’i has been endorsed by Jubilee as its presidential candidate and is taking over the party leadership from Uhuru, pending formal ratification at the National Delegates Convention. The transition places the former Interior CS at the centre of the party’s emerging 2027 strategy.

But Uhuru’s remarks immediately triggered a counterattack from President Ruto’s political camp.

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse accused the retired President of refusing to accept the decision made by Kenyan voters.

“You were the President then. You supported Raila Odinga. You told him many things, but Kenyans made their own decision. We will not allow you to fool other leaders in Kenya,” Mutuse said during a rally in Kalii, Makindu.

Mutuse also urged Uhuru to respect the current administration, arguing that the former President had already served two terms after being elected by Kenyans.

“Kenya has many families, but your family alone has ruled this country for 25 years. That should make you humble and make you respect Kenyans and the current leadership,” he said.

UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar also rejected Uhuru’s account, insisting that Ruto won the 2022 election and accusing the former President of failing to accept the outcome.

Omar further invoked the former Uhuru-Ruto alliance, pointing to Ruto’s role in Uhuru’s 2013 and 2017 victories before their relationship collapsed during Uhuru’s second term.