Despite handing power to his deputy William Ruto three years ago, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta is far from finished with politics. More than ever, he appears determined to influence the 2027 presidential election.
This would not be the first time he has attempted to install a president after himself. His preferred candidate in the last election, Raila Odinga , came second after Dr William Ruto.
Mr Kenyatta is backing former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, and has vowed to rectify the “mistakes” made in 2022.
During a meeting of Jubilee Party leaders in Murang’a County yesterday, the former president said he settled on Dr Matiang’i “not because of favouritism or any other consideration... I have never been to his home”.
His choice has slighted others in Mt Kenya, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua already reading mischief.
While Mr Gachagua feels the strong presence of Jubilee and Mr Kenyatta in the Mountain would harm his chances, the fourth president asked his supporters not to hurl insults at Riggy G – Mr Gachagua’s other nickname.
“To you Jeremiah Kioni (Jubilee secretary-general), this trend insulting other leaders in the name of defending our party is rubbish. I don’t want to hear anyone insulting Gachagua. Let us sell policies not, insults,” Mr Kenyatta said.
Some observers already say that by asking his supporters not to insult anyone, the former president may be paving the way for a possible rapprochement with the firebrand politician from Wamunyoro village, Nyeri County .
Mr Gachagua has already launched the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), saying it is Mt Kenya’s special purpose vehicle for 2027.
“Uhuru Kenyatta is the past while I’m the present and future,” he said recently.
Mr Kenyatta responded to Mr Gachagua saying: “Indeed, I’m the past and not in dire need of anything. My wife and I can grow arrowroots at home. It’s is up to you people to make a choice.”
According to Mr Kenyatta, his 2022 wish was for the country to remain united and face the future devoid of tribal, regional and other divisions.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre) with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i (right) and Jeremiah Kioni during a Jubilee Party meeting in Murang’a County on November 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Martin Mwaura | Nation Media Group
“I failed when you did not take heed,” he said, adding that he is still compassionate about that project.
“I was part of the politics of divisions, using vile language and such but realised that was not what the country needed. I am re-strategising, starting at home.”
“From the presidency all the way to the ward representative, you need to be careful and elect workers,” Mr Kenyatta told the meeting.
He described the former Interior Cabinet Secretary as a progressive and transformative worker representing the crop of leaders this country needs.
“Of course, he is not a politician. He’ll be taught politics by you people. He is a man who is ready to learn as he loves working,” Mr Kenyatta said.
In what would likely reinforce the “project” label, the former minister said his primary allegiance is with Mr Kenyatta and Jubilee “because the two made me join public service”.
“Through them, I became the person who is gunning for Kenya’s presidency,” he said.
“I cannot rewrite history. I was Uhuru Kenyatta’s Cabinet Secretary. I agreed with his policies and we developed the country together. I associate myself fully with Mr Kenyatta and his legacy.”
“For those who insult and shame others, I will ensure you are ejected from the party,” he said, adding that he wants Jubilee strengthened and angled to avoid past mistakes “where Kenya ended up with leaders who take bribes to pass laws that impoverish citizens”.
“Those are the leaders who progress tokenism and what they call empowerment,” he said.
While Mr Kenyatta largely appeared to rely on his Mt Kenya voting bloc to propel Odinga to power in 2022, he now seems to be banking on young voters.
“I told you in 2021 that the neglected Kenyan youth were a ticking time bomb. Look at the agitation and activism they are unleashing now,” he said.
“The old political class must let the Gen-Z into the kitchen and dining table. You must open doors wide for them. We must stop telling them that we know where we want to take the country. The young people know where they want to go.”
“Question those with big cars and those who use their positions to sit on others. Question even the President for power belongs to you,” he said.
Mr Kenyatta seemed aware that eyebrows would be raised over whether his attempt to influence the 2027 presidential election would not end in premium tears as happened in 2022.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i during a Jubilee Party meeting in Murang’a County on November 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Martin Mwaura | Nation Media Group
After winning the 2013 presidency with Dr Ruto as his running mate, whom he had promised to support in 2022, he went back on the pledge in 2018 and started campaigning for then-opposition National Super Alliance leader Odinga.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission said Dr Ruto garnered 7,176,141 votes or 50.49 per cent of the ballot votes cast in 2022.
Even more humiliating was Mr Kenyatta’s failure to secure a win for Odinga in his Mt Kenya backyard, where Dr Ruto received 87 per cent of the votes as Odinga settled for 12.
Mr Kenyatta told the Jubilee delegates that he was accused of not being forthright, vague and hands-off towards 2022, adding that he would be candid in support and advise in 2027.
“I told you and proposed what I perceived to be the best interests for the region and the country but you know how it ended. Those, however, are bygones,” he said.
“The political situation at the time was detrimental to the long-term goals of a modern civilised country,” he said.
“I realised that we needed to unite as a country. I tried mobilising you for that cause but Mt Kenya people became stubborn. Let us re-plan and relaunch the campaign. Let us start it all over again in Mt Kenya because this is home,” he said.
According to Mr Kenyatta, the 2022 election results were a mistake.
“I will give advice one more time. I am not lecturing you. It is you to decide whether to heed the advice,” he said.
Mr Kenyatta’s words cast doubt on President Ruto’s declarations that he is working with his predecessor in uniting Kenya.
“Unless the President means he is considering to forfeit his re-election bid to work with our party leader and Kenyans to give this country the government it deserves, with Dr Matiang’i as its head,” Mr Kioni said.
The other implication of Mr Kenyatta’s plan in Mt Kenya is a potential conflict with Wiper Patriotic Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who has become Mr Gachagua’s ally.
Mr Musyoka’s lower Eastern region has been grafted into Mt Kenya political bloc and is now being identified as Mt Kenya South.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i during a Jubilee Party meeting in Murang’a County on November 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Martin Mwaura | Nation Media Group
“With Mr Kenyatta endorsing Dr Matiang’i, the focus shifts to the battle for the running mate slot, which several Mt Kenya leaders are canvassing for,” said political analyst Peter Kagwanja.
“This will only heighten realignments among existing formations but it is still too early to make definitive sense on where exactly the prime axis lies.”
Ms Karua, the People’s Liberation Party boss, has since closed ranks with Mr Gachagua in an effort to seize the political soul of Mt Kenya.
On Friday, Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri – an ally of President Ruto – downplayed Mr Kenyatta’s comeback.
“We are first serving our constitutional term that ends in 2027. Mt Kenya and the country cannot afford early campaigns when many election pledges remain pending,” Mr Kiunjuri said.
“Those are optimistic declarations by people who are out of power. We in power have a mandate to deliver on governance until 2027. After that, we will bring the incumbent President back to the market for re-election.”
“The region has a poor approach to politics, going for clowns, those who shout loudest, those who insult others and those who have no goals,” he told the gathering.
“It is like a market where instead of buying what is beneficial, we go to see clowns who have come to entertain market goers.”
