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Uhuru under fire over Ruto attack at Jubilee conference
Former President and Jubilee Party leader Uhuru Kenyatta gives a speech during the party's Special National Delegates Conference at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on September 26, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Mr Kenyatta revealed that President Ruto's plan to cripple him politically was one of the main reasons he has not quit his party position.
- The pushback by President William Ruto’s allies highlighted the unease within his camp regarding Mr Kenyatta’s return to politics.
Allies of President William Ruto on Saturday hit back at his predecessor, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, over his scathing criticism of the government.
They accused the former president of being dishonest and warned that his renewed involvement in politics could cost him his state-funded retirement perks.
Lawmakers loyal to the Head of State dismissed Mr Kenyatta’s claims that he had been proved right about his concerns regarding Dr Ruto’s leadership. They argued that the government had stabilised the economy and increased access to services
“We passed a Bill for the retirement benefits that a former president will get. If former President Uhuru Kenyatta will continue with what he is doing, then we will repeal the Bill and scrap the benefits that he is receiving,” Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei said.
The Presidential Retirement Benefits Act of 2003 states that Mr Kenyatta is entitled to a tax-free lump sum of Sh39.6 million, a monthly pension of Sh1.32 million, a fully furnished office, vehicles, an entertainment allowance and medical cover.
The law requires that a retired president resign from his or her position as party leader six months after leaving office to qualify for the perks. But Mr Kenyatta has ignored that, and he remains the Jubilee Party leader and the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition Party Council chairperson.
During a Special National Delegates Conference held in Nairobi on Friday, Mr Kenyatta revealed that a revenge plan by President Ruto and his allies to cripple him politically — by attempting to seize control of Jubilee Party — was one of the main reasons he has not quit his party position.
He said that he had prepared to step down as Jubilee leader, but then he learnt about what he termed “government-backed interference”, which forced him to change his mind.
“After having handed over the reins of the state to a new administration in a peaceful and orderly manner, as you all witnessed, I expected the same for our party. But this was not to be. They sent people to come and steal the party. That is why I decided to stay on,” he said.
President William Ruto (right) and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, on August 1, 2025.
The pushback by President Ruto’s allies highlighted the unease within his camp regarding Mr Kenyatta’s return to politics, and the prospect of Jubilee becoming a rallying point for the opposition once again.
Dr Ruto’s supporters also attempted to link Mr Kenyatta’s legacy to the country’s present economic difficulties by portraying him as the architect
of debt-fuelled projects such as the Eurobond.
Nyaribari Chache Member of Parliament Zaheer Jhanda said Mr Kenyatta had failed to deliver.
“For the 10 years he was in office, he failed to deliver Kenyans to the ‘Promised Land’. He has no moral authority to lecture, undermine or criticise President Ruto. He ruined the country’s economy, and we are still cleaning up after him. Let him shut up,” he said.
Mwala MP Vincent Kawaya said Mr Kenyatta had no grounds to accuse the Kenya Kwanza administration of eroding Jubilee’s legacy. He said that President Ruto had reduced the cost of fertiliser and maize flour.
“I am struggling to understand which gains have been eroded. Are you (Kenyatta) talking about the Eurobond that you borrowed that we have now repaid?” He asked.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said Mr Kenyatta’s comparisons on healthcare are misleading.
“Those correcting this government, and those who want this government to perform better, must correct us with facts. We are open to improvement,” he said.
“The Linda Mama Programme was concentrating on the health of pregnant women, but today universal healthcare is correcting the society—it involves the mother, the child, and everybody else. That is why we are supporting President Ruto.”
Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, a staunch defender of the president, went further. He told Mr Kenyatta to stay out of electoral politics altogether.
“You do not have to correct President Ruto in public. If you want to advise him, why not meet him. Be a statesman. You are past your sell-by date in electoral politics,” Mr Sudi said.
“Don’t play Mr Clean. You were a coward president who refused to take tough decisions in reforming the Higher Education Loans Board and the now defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund. You are courting another humiliating defeat similar to the one that happened in the 2022 polls.”
President William Ruto (right) and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, on August 1, 2025.
The pushback came after Mr Kenyatta accused Dr Ruto of dismantling Jubilee’s achievements. He said that Kenya’s democratic culture is being eroded.
His speech at the Jubilee delegates’ conference marked a dramatic re-entry into politics. It was laced with undertones of a Jubilee revival, and there were hints that the party could field candidates nationwide in 2027.
Mr Kenyatta declared: “I am going no where.” He gave a spirited defence of his government’s record in health, education and infrastructure.
Emurua Dikirr MP Yohana Ng’eno accused Mr Kenyatta of selective memory.
“It was during his time that many youths were killed and dumped in River Yala. Why is he not talking about that? President Ruto has done a lot to improve the economy. Please keep off politics,” he said.
Dr Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, said: “There is nothing you left at State House. Stop the incitement. We were not happy with your leadership, but we waited for 10 years so that you can retire peacefully. We are watching your steps, and we are ready to deal with you if you cross the line.”
