President William Ruto has renewed his political attacks on his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing the former president of playing a behind-the-scenes role in efforts to strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The latest confrontation marks another chapter in the long-running political fallout between the two leaders, who worked together for a decade before their relationship deteriorated during Ruto’s tenure as deputy president.
Ruto and Uhuru first joined forces politically ahead of the 2013 General Election under the Jubilee alliance. Their partnership went on to secure victories in both the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections.
However, their relationship later became increasingly strained, with Ruto accusing Uhuru of sidelining him and promoting political projects that could undermine his succession plans.
After taking over the presidency in 2022, Ruto has occasionally turned his attention back to the former president, particularly when discussing the opposition and political developments ahead of the next election.
The latest accusations come as political activity intensifies across the country. Ruto's allies have recently accused Uhuru of supporting or financing opposition movements seeking to challenge the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The claims have included allegations that the former president is connected to groups such as Linda Mwananchi and other opposition formations.
Uhuru has not publicly confirmed that he is financing such groups. In fact, some politicians associated with the opposition have rejected the claims and defended the former president against what they describe as politically motivated attacks.
The accusations nevertheless highlight the continuing influence of Uhuru in Kenya's political landscape. Although he retired from the presidency in 2022, his name remains significant, particularly in Central Kenya and within political circles seeking to build a coalition capable of challenging Ruto in 2027.
Uhuru's Jubilee Party is also part of the broader opposition landscape, adding to speculation about his political intentions. However, fact-checkers have previously warned against fabricated social-media posts purporting to show Uhuru explicitly endorsing particular opposition slogans or attacking Ruto.
The renewed dispute also comes at a time when Ruto's administration is facing a more organised opposition campaign. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has emerged as one of the President's most outspoken critics and has been working to build a political alliance ahead of 2027.
The opposition has sought to capitalise on public dissatisfaction over issues including the cost of living, taxation, unemployment and the government's handling of public services.
Ruto, meanwhile, has continued to defend his administration's record and has accused his political opponents of lacking concrete solutions. He has challenged opposition leaders to present alternative plans instead of simply criticising government policies.
The President's latest remarks about Uhuru therefore fit into a broader political strategy in which the government seeks to portray the opposition as being driven by political interests rather than a coherent national agenda.
For Uhuru, the accusations represent another reminder that his political legacy remains closely tied to the current administration. Ruto served as his deputy for two terms, and their eventual fallout became one of the defining political developments of the final years of the Jubilee government.
Their differences became especially visible after the 2018 handshake between Uhuru and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Ruto opposed the political realignment and subsequently embarked on his own presidential campaign, eventually defeating Raila in the 2022 election.
With the 2027 election approaching, the question of Uhuru's eventual political role is likely to remain a subject of intense speculation. Whether he openly campaigns for the opposition, remains behind the scenes or maintains a neutral position could have significant implications for coalition-building.
Ruto's decision to directly link his predecessor to opposition activities also signals the importance his administration attaches to Uhuru's political influence.
For now, however, the allegations remain part of an increasingly heated political contest. While Ruto's allies accuse Uhuru of supporting efforts to weaken the government, Uhuru's defenders insist that the former president is being unfairly dragged into political movements he does not control.
As Kenya moves closer to 2027, the old political rivalry between Ruto and Uhuru appears far from over. What began as a powerful partnership has evolved into a bitter political separation, and the former allies could once again find themselves on opposite sides of Kenya's next major electoral battle.