President William Ruto pays a courtesy call to former President Uhuru Kenyatta at his Gatundu home on December 9, 2024.
In an unexpected twist that has left political circles buzzing, President William Ruto paid a surprise visit to his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday at his rural Ichaweri home in Gatundu South, Kiambu.
The meeting comes nearly three years after sustained political animosity between the two, which has been punctuated by public spats, dramatic incidents and accusations of political retribution. The meeting has also raised eyebrows and sparked speculation about a potential thaw in their fractured relationship.
Sources close to the Kenyatta family reveal that the president was ushered into a private meeting with the former president — a tête-à-tête that even workers on the property were not made aware of beforehand.
“Dr Ruto was then taken into a private room for a meeting that lasted almost two hours,” a local source told Nation.Africa.
But what stood out most, according to the source, was the complete secrecy surrounding the meeting.
Not only was Dr Ruto not accompanied by his political allies, but even the local security forces in Kiambu were kept in the dark.
“I’m hearing about it from you...I'm equally surprised,” a senior Kiambu security official remarked when reached for comment about the visit.
Political tension, raid
President William Ruto pays a courtesy call to former President Uhuru Kenyatta at his Gatundu home on December 9, 2024.
The visit comes after months of political tension between the two, dating back to the bitter fallout that began soon after Dr Ruto assumed office in 2022.
What seemed like a smooth handover quickly soured as Mr Kenyatta and his allies launched sharp criticism of Dr Ruto’s administration, accusing the new regime of overreach and targeting his family.
The withdrawal of his security and the March 27, 2023, invasion of Mr Kenyatta’s Northlands Farm by goons as State security apparatus watched, but did not intervene, further raised eyebrows.
The tension reached breaking point after a dramatic police raid on the residence of Mr Kenyatta’s son, Jomo, in Karen over alleged firearms possession. The raid was ordered by then Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, who is now Deputy President.
His mother and Kenya's founding First Lady, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, also had security withdrawn from her Gatundu and Muthaiga homes.
The withdrawal of Mr Kenyatta’s and Mama Ngina's security, looting of his property and raid on his son's home fueled accusations that the actions were politically motivated, a calculated effort aimed at punishing the former president for his vocal opposition to the Kenya Kwanza regime.
“The fact that I am silent does not mean that I am scared,” Mr Kenyatta said in July 2023.
"What does my mother have to do with anything? What have my children got to do with anything? You know where I am all the time. Come for me.”
Mt Kenya factor
President Ruto’s visit to Mr Kenyatta also comes at a time when political leadership in Mt Kenya region is at a crossroads following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Insiders reckon the visit could be part of a larger strategy to mend fences with influential members of the mountain community, while also addressing the growing dissatisfaction in his base.
A source intimated that President Ruto’s voyage to Ichaweri is only one of a few by prominent political leaders.
But even then, Mr Kenyatta’s office, in a statement , said there was nothing out of the ordinary about the Monday meeting with President Ruto.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated to delete erroneous reference to the use of helicopters in President Ruto’s visit to retired President Kenyatta’s village home.
