Four years after leaving office, Uhuru says he's still Ruto's go-to scapegoat

• Speaking on Tuesday at Jubilee Party headquarters, where he chaired a National Election Council (NEC) meeting, Kenyatta said his team had accepted defeat in the last General Election, but claimed the current administration was still pinning its governance failures on him years later.

File image of President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP William Ruto during a pas function. PHOTOS | COURTESY

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has hit back at President William Ruto, accusing his successor of using him as a scapegoat for what he termed a lacklustre administration.

Speaking on Tuesday at Jubilee Party headquarters, where he chaired a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, Kenyatta said his team had accepted defeat in the last General Election, but claimed the current administration was still pinning its governance failures on him years later.

"We accepted that they won. Four years later, it is still Uhuru this and Uhuru that. But when things are not working, you start blaming someone else. Kenyans are smart, they know," Kenyatta said.

The former Head of State announced he was throwing his support behind former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, citing his commitment to ending tribal politics.

"I am supporting Matiang'i because we want to bring an end to tribal politics. I have looked at him and seen a man of wisdom, not a man of corruption, but a man of work," Kenyatta said.

He also questioned why Kenya Kwanza allies had taken to branding him a "sponsor" for speaking out, arguing that democracy allows leaders to air their views without being targeted.

"We want to look for leaders who will bring services to citizens and reduce corruption. I cannot engage in insults with them. I do not have time for that. I want to unite with all of you, for Jubilee to unite with other Kenyans, and for us to chart the way forward for Kenya," he said.

Kenyatta further urged the youth to resist being used by politicians to further their own interests, and defended his decision to step back from active politics, noting that the Constitution limits presidents to two terms.

"As Uhuru, I have asked Kenyans for the presidential vote three times. The Constitution says two terms. I respect the law and the Constitution. To say Uhuru will not be president does not mean Jubilee is finished," he added.

On his role within the party, Kenyatta said he would cede the position of party leader but remain a senior member and senior advisor to Jubilee as the party awaits its National Delegates Convention (NDC).

"I have decided to step down from that top position and become a senior advisor, since I am still here. I will remain a senior member of Jubilee in the meantime as we wait for the NDC. My younger brother should take up that position, and we organise ourselves for the work of 2027. That is not running away, that is planning ahead," he said.

Kenyatta's remarks come amid an escalating war of words with Ruto, who has in recent weeks renewed attacks on his predecessor, labelling him a rebel leader who has refused to embrace the role of a statesman.

Speaking in Siaya County during a re-election campaign tour, Ruto welcomed a High Court ruling that barred Kenyatta from holding office within a political party, saying the former president had brought shame to the office he once occupied.

"I am surprised that a person who has served as President of Kenya, instead of leaving office to become a statesman, chooses to become a rebel leader, an opposition figure. Now the courts are telling him to step aside," Ruto said.

The President accused Kenyatta of continuing to sponsor opposition activities in a bid to destabilise his government, taking a swipe at Siaya Governor James Orengo and the "Linda Sponsor" campaign.

"Surely that is a great shame. And now he has hired Orengo here, those people of Linda Sponsor. Governor Orengo should abandon talk of Linda Sponsor. If Uhuru Kenyatta could not defeat me while he was president, does he really think he can defeat me now?" Ruto posed.

Ruto also urged Kenyans to reject opposition leaders, describing them as engaging in guesswork with the country's future.

"Those people want to gamble with our nation. People without a plan, without policy, with barely any sense. Kenya is too important, our nation is too important, to be left to games of guesswork," he said.

ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga and National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed also took aim at the opposition, questioning its internal cohesion and lack of a clear agenda.

Leaders who accompanied the President, including Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, Treasury CS John Mbadi and Internal Security PS Dr Raymond Omollo, praised Ruto for development projects launched in the region, including the Kalandi-Ka Elija Road, the Rabongo Usenge Road and the Dhogoye Bridge in Bondo Constituency.