President William Ruto (right) pays a courtesy call to former President Uhuru Kenyatta at his Gatundu home on December 9, 2024.
When President William Ruto decided to make peace with his close political-ally-turned-bitter-rival Uhuru Kenyatta, he chose goats as gifts in his visit to the retired president’s village home in Ichaweri, Gatundu South Constituency.
Those who accompanied the Head of State to Kiambu revealed that he carried some 12 goats with him. Mr Kenyatta received them in person.
The goats, domestic animals with immense symbolism among the Agikuyu, best illustrate President Ruto’s commitment to burying the hatchet between him and his former boss.
The Monday, December 9 visit by President Ruto caught many Kenyans by surprise.
President Ruto served as Mr Kenyatta’s deputy between 2013 and 2022.
Before the publicised Monday visit, people close to the President say, the two had held a private meeting in Nairobi.
On November 16, the two leaders shared a platform in Embu during the consecration and installation of Bishop Peter Kimani Ndung’u of the Catholic Church.
During that function, that was also attended by impeached deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, it became clear that residents of Mt Kenya region were disgruntled with the President.
The President was jeered when he spoke about government projects, specifically the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), while Mr Gachagua was wildly cheered by the crowd when he was introduced.
The Ichaweri visit, which lasted about three hours, immediately sparked political speculations.
The Gikuyu Council of elders Chairman, Wachira Kiago, says goats are habitually slaughtered in Kikuyu ceremonies, with certain parts shared to signify bonding.
“Goat meat is eaten by elders from both sides and blessings given,” he said.
He however says there is a distinction between goats given for rituals or as gifts.
Even rituals, he explains, could be a gesture between two parties or for the community.
“If it is for the community, then elders from these communities must be involved and the place to deliver them is a specially chosen ground, forest or a shrine. If this was about the two men or their families, then that is a private family affair,” he said.
In an interview with Nation.Africa, Stephen Githinji, a member of the Kikuyu Council of Elders, explained that goats have many symbolic roles in the community.
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“In Kikuyu culture, when a young woman gets married, her parents are appreciated with 99 goats. For a young man to be accepted by the elders — to be ‘reborn’ — he must offer two to three goats for rituals,” Mr Githinji said.
Goats are also offered in dowry payment to symbolise the parents’ blessings for the couple to multiply and prosper.
While it remains unclear why President Ruto chose to offer goats to Mr Kenyatta, Mr Githinji suggests that if the President was seeking forgiveness for past antagonism, it would have been prudent to involve Kikuyu elders familiar with the culture.
However, it is unclear whether there is an intention to involve elders from both sides at a later date.
“For us to conclude that Ruto is forgiven and seeking Kenyatta’s blessings through the symbolic goats, elders should be present,” Githinji said.
Biblically, he stated, the goats taken to Mr Kenyatta could symbolise the 12 disciples of Jesus, reflecting a spiritual or leadership connotation.
Nonetheless, Mr Githinji argued that the number of goats taken to Ichaweri, if the purpose was unspecified, did not meet the cultural threshold.
A Kiama Kiama Council of Elders member, who requested anonymity citing the sensitivity of the matter, said the President's offer could be interpreted as a sign of reconciliation, but noted that “it cannot be restitution to the level of being forgiven for sins committed.”
He said the betrayal of impeaching Mr Gachagua had affected the elders so much that “we don’t know who will appease us."
"Former President Kenyatta told us that Ruto was not a good person. For him to convince us that he has turned to be a good man, it’ll take more than giving goats at Ichaweri,” he said.
The relationship between President Ruto and the retired president has been strained since the 2022 General Election.
Mr Kenyatta supported Mr Raila Odinga, who contested the presidency on the Azimio la Umoja coalition ticket, a move that did not sit well with Dr Ruto.
Dr Ruto ultimately won the presidency on a Kenya Kwanza ticket.
President Ruto secured significant support in Mt Kenya region, which is Kenyatta’s political stronghold.
Much of this support was attributed to the campaign efforts of Mr Gachagua.
However, two years into his presidency, President Ruto’s popularity in Mt Kenya appears to be waning, especially following Mr Gachagua’s impeachment in October.
The relationship between Dr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta, who once referred to each other as “brothers,” deteriorated further in 2023 following the invasion of the Kenyatta family’s Northlands Farm by goons during opposition-led anti-government protests.
Their relationship was further strained by the dramatic raid on Kenyatta’s son Jomo’s Karen residence over allegations of illegal possession of firearms.
Mr Kenyatta also voiced his displeasure over the withdrawal of security from his mother’s homes in Gatundu and Muthaiga.
He accused the Ruto government of targeting his family and children, instead of confronting him directly.
Mr Gachagua's replacement with Prof Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President has further strained Ruto’s standing in Mt Kenya.
The region’s hostility signals uncertainty for Dr Ruto’s bid to secure support as he seeks re-election in 2027.
The elder who spoke in confidence said the fact that Prof Kindiki had not been received well in the region does not mean they hate him.
"In fact we love Kindiki as much as we love Gachagua. But it was the manner in which the former DP was hounded out of office that we detest. It was pure betrayal and it will take a lot for us to get healed because we were not consulted before the impeachment,” the elder said.
Dr Ruto’s relationship with the Mt Kenya region worsened further when Mr Gachagua was attacked by goons in Limuru during a funeral.
According to University of Nairobi lecturer Herman Manyora, the attack elevated Mr Gachagua’s profile.
“What happened was that Gachagua was seen as the victim and this endeared him to the masses. The former DP stands a chance to be more popular in Mt Kenya region. Mt Kenya has never seen a leader with a fanatic following as Mr Odinga in Nyanza. This is what is likely to be witnessed of the former deputy if attacks against him continue,” Mr Manyora told Nation in a phone interview.
President Ruto’s recent visit to Mr Kenyatta’s home is seen by political analysts as a move intended to help him regain favour in the region.
As Gachagua mobilises support in what is perceived as a retaliation scheme, Mt Kenya remains a pivotal region for any presidential candidate.
Mr Kenyatta has since issued a statement saying his meeting with President Ruto focused on matters of national importance, including governance, development, accountability, and democracy.
President Ruto commended Mr Kenyatta for overseeing a peaceful transfer of power after the 2022 General Election.
“They also committed to maintaining regular engagements on matters of national importance alongside other leaders and stakeholders,” a statement from State House read.
This Ichaweri meeting follows a pattern of rapprochement that began with the President’s embrace of opposition leader Mr Odinga to form the broad-based government that brought on board the ODM leader's key allies.
During Thursday’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, Prof Kindiki praised President Ruto for his efforts to reconcile with Mr Kenyatta and Mr Odinga.
Prof Kindiki described President Ruto’s moves as reflective of a leader who values national unity.
The DP also acknowledged Mr Kenyatta’s commitment to being consulted privately on governance matters.
Whether President Ruto’s gesture of presenting goats to Kenyatta is a sincere attempt to mend fences or a calculated strategy to secure political support, it marks a significant development in Kenya’s evolving political landscape.
