Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has launched a stinging attack on President William Ruto and allies within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), accusing them of fanning divisive, ethnic-based politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kenyatta made the remarks on Monday, May 25, during a Jubilee Party delegates’ meeting in Kiambu County, where he delivered an unusually passionate and direct address targeting UDA’s handling of inflammatory remarks made by party allies in recent weeks.
“Nobody Is Supposed to Threaten a Community”
Without naming specific individuals, the retired head of state directed his sharpest criticism at Ruto, accusing him of looking the other way when UDA-linked figures made divisive remarks during a recent event in Mombasa last week.
“Nobody is supposed to threaten a certain community because we are all Kenyans, and God knows why we are together in this country. You should not divide us,” Kenyatta told the gathering.
The former president expressed deep disappointment that leaders were making ethnically charged remarks openly, in the presence of senior government officials, without any intervention.
“We have started seeing others spreading divisive ethnic politics. They don’t have shame while saying these things. They are making the remarks in front of leaders of our country, and nobody tries to stop them,” he said.
Ruto Accused of Failing to Rein In UDA Allies
While Kenyatta stopped short of naming names directly, his remarks were widely interpreted as pointing to specific UDA figures whose comments at a recent Mombasa engagement drew controversy. He pointedly accused Ruto of failing to caution those involved, suggesting the President’s silence amounted to tacit endorsement.
The former President warned that ethnic politics poses a direct threat to national cohesion, accusing the current administration’s allies of a serious lack of accountability in their public conduct.
Kiambu as a Battleground
Kenyatta’s choice of Kiambu—a county at the heart of the Mt. Kenya vote bloc—to deliver this broadside is significant. Jubilee and UDA are locked in a fierce battle for dominance in the region, and Kenyatta’s direct attacks on Ruto signal that the gloves are coming off as 2027 approaches.
Deputy Party Leader Dr. Fred Matiang’i, Jubilee’s endorsed 2027 presidential candidate, was also present at the meeting, with Monday’s event now taking on greater significance as the clearest sign yet of Jubilee’s aggressive posture heading into the election cycle.
