Former president Uhuru Kenyatta has strongly defended his continued participation in politics, dismissing calls from some allies of President William Ruto who want him to step away from public affairs.
Speaking to Jubilee supporters in Narok County on Friday, May 1, Uhuru insisted that he still has every right to support and protect the Jubilee Party.
Uhuru made the remarks through a surprise phone call during the homecoming celebration of Jubilee Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta. Although he had been expected to attend the event physically, he explained that he was unable to do so after falling ill shortly after returning from a trip.
He was instead represented by his younger brother, Muhoho Kenyatta.
Even though he was absent in person, Uhuru’s voice over the loudspeakers immediately energized the crowd. Supporters cheered loudly, chanted slogans, and welcomed his unexpected appearance with excitement, turning the gathering into a lively political moment.
Addressing criticism from his opponents, Uhuru questioned why some leaders believe he should remain silent simply because he is no longer president. He argued that stepping down from office does not mean surrendering one’s democratic rights or political freedom.
He stated clearly that while he is not seeking any elective seat, he remains a loyal member of Jubilee and has every right to defend the party whenever necessary.
To support his argument, Uhuru referred to Kenya’s second president, Daniel arap Moi. He noted that Moi remained active in politics during the administration of former president Mwai Kibaki and even took part in campaigns against the proposed draft constitution at the time.
Uhuru said Kibaki was never threatened by Moi’s involvement, and therefore there should be no issue with him also remaining politically active.
He further cited former Barack Obama as another example of a retired leader who continues to engage in national and party matters after leaving office. According to Uhuru, former leaders around the world often continue to contribute to politics, public debate, and party building, and Kenya should not be different.
Beyond defending himself personally, Uhuru also raised concern over what he described as interference in political parties by people who lack clear principles or ideological direction. He warned that such behavior weakens Kenya’s multiparty democracy and creates unnecessary hostility.
He urged politicians to focus on building their own parties instead of trying to destroy rival formations. According to him, democracy becomes stronger when parties compete respectfully and independently.
In a separate development, George Ruto sparked widespread debate online after his social media activity appeared to support criticism aimed at his father.
This came after President Ruto was accused of relaunching a technical and vocational institute in Murang’a County that had already been officially launched earlier and was already operational.
Many Kenyans reacted angrily online, accusing the government of recycling completed projects for publicity and misleading citizens. George Ruto’s apparent approval of the criticism surprised many people, as he was among the least expected figures to appear supportive of such comments.
His online activity quickly became a trending topic and fueled further discussion about accountability and public trust.
President Ruto has recently faced criticism over allegations that some projects are repeatedly launched or publicly announced without visible completion. These claims have added to frustration among citizens who want faster service delivery and real development progress rather than repeated ceremonies.
Meanwhile, the president also attracted attention during a visit to Kibra, where he impressed many people by displaying neat handwriting on a classroom blackboard at Ayany Primary School. He had visited the school while inspecting education and housing projects in the area.
Photos and videos of the carefully written message circulated widely online, prompting mixed reactions and fresh debate about leadership and the state of education in the country.
Tension also emerged during another visit by Ruto to Lang’ata, where he was inspecting the ongoing 4,600-unit Soweto Affordable Housing Project. The president was accompanied by government officials, security personnel, area MP Jalang’o, and hundreds of residents from both UDA and ODM camps.
At one point during the tour, a white object believed to be a bottle was thrown from behind, briefly causing panic among the entourage. Security officers quickly moved to shield the president and searched for the person responsible, but no immediate arrest was reported.
The incident triggered reactions online, with many linking it to rising political tension and public frustration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The event reminded many Kenyans of an earlier incident in Migori County in May 2025, when a shoe nearly struck the president during the launch of the Kehancha Affordable Housing Project. That disturbance briefly interrupted his speech on reducing fertilizer costs.
Elsewhere, Samson Cherargei proposed the creation of a special mental wellness unit for political leaders at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Speaking in the Senate on Tuesday, April 28, the senator said the growing levels of insults, hate speech, and political incitement seen at rallies show that some leaders may need professional counseling and emotional support.
Cherargei said the toxic language being exchanged between leaders allied to President Ruto and opposition figures was damaging public discourse.
He referenced recent exchanges involving former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and other politicians as examples of how national debate has become more personal than issue-based.
Recently, President Ruto also accused opposition leaders of constantly attacking him without offering practical solutions to Kenya’s challenges.
He claimed that endless anger and public outbursts were signs that some of them needed treatment, adding that they could be registered under the Social Health Authority for affordable care. He challenged his critics to present policies and ideas instead of insults.
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