You can’t gag me, Uhuru tells Ruto as war of words escalates

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has told off his successor, President William Ruto, over sustained political attacks against him ahead of the 2027 General Election.

 Uhuru warned against attempts to gag his political rights and dismissed Ruto’s claims that he is sponsoring opposition politicians seeking to unseat him.

 “We are a democratic society and those democratic ideals were fought for hard by the man we are honouring today,” he said.

 Speaking during the 23rd memorial service of the late former Vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa in Kitale, Uhuru said attempts to restrict political freedom were unconstitutional and risked taking the country backwards.

 “Freedom for Kenyans is to be able to elect the leaders they want. I’m here to defend that freedom. Nobody can take away that freedom that was fought for with blood and sweat by our leaders,” he said.

His remarks came amid sustained attacks by Ruto over claims that the former President is backing politicians opposed to his re-election bid.

Speaking during a church service in Taita Taveta on Sunday, Ruto maintained that his opponents are puppets on their master’s (Uhuru’s) payroll.

 “These people [opposition] are projects or puppets. These are people who are sent. These are people who are paid,” the President said.

 But Uhuru dismissed the claims, insisting that Kenyans have constitutional and political rights to choose their leaders.

 “Kenyans have a right to decide. If they say they want Kalonzo, it is Kalonzo. If they say they want Ruto, it is Ruto. If they say they want Matiang’i, it is Matiang’i. If they say they want Sifuna, it is Sifuna,” he said.

 “Please, be careful. I don’t want to be called a sponsor,” he added, drawing cheers after mentioning Sifuna.

 Ruto has repeatedly alleged that Uhuru is backing politicians positioning themselves against his re-election bid. He has also linked Sifuna and other opposition figures to the former President.

Sifuna has denied claims that Uhuru is funding the Linda Mwananchi movement.

 He has maintained that the group relies on support and contributions from ordinary Kenyans and other well-wishers.

Uhuru also criticised the emerging culture in which political leaders are attacked or blocked from holding meetings in regions perceived as strongholds of rival politicians.

“There is no need to force any Kenyan to go this side or that. Kenyans will decide for themselves. I am pleading with politicians: let us go to Kenyans with peace,” he said.

This issue of blocking others from holding their meetings is taking us back. If you want votes, ask for them politely. Kenyans will give you votes.”

Uhuru recalled how he accepted defeat after losing the presidency to Mwai Kibaki in 2002, before returning to the political arena and winning the presidency in 2013.

 “Even me, when I lost the presidency in 2002, I came back again in 2013, and I was given votes. Let people not say that I’m politicking. I’m not interested in any seat,” he said.

 He urged political leaders to focus on unity and respect as they seek votes ahead of the 2027 election.

 “But they should know that while many people may want the presidency, only one person will be elected. If they mean well, they should look for ways of uniting. They should walk together and respect each other.”

 Former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu asked opposition leaders to unite and produce one candidate against Ruto.

 Revisiting the grand opposition unity that brought down the Kanu regime in 2002, Ngilu said failure to unite would be the opposition’s biggest undoing.

 “We sat down with Wamalwa and other leaders to defeat Moi because we were tired of Kanu,” she said.

 “Today, all these leaders here are good candidates for the presidency. Even Sifuna is good. But if each of them goes it alone, each of us will lick our wounds in 2027. We shall have done injustice to Kenyans,” she said.

 Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DP boss Justin Muturi, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa and PLP leader Martha Karua vowed to produce one candidate to face Ruto.

 “This is not just a memorial. It is a call to finish the work he (Wamalwa) started: a Kenya that is united, free, just and prosperous for all her children,” Kalonzo said.

 INSTANT ANALYSIS

 The Uhuru-Ruto feud is increasingly becoming a proxy battle over the shape of the 2027 election.

 Ruto appears determined to portray Uhuru as the financier and political architect behind emerging opposition forces, while Uhuru is positioning himself as a defender of democratic freedoms and voters’ choice.

 The exchanges also reveal Ruto’s concern over opposition consolidation and Uhuru’s continuing influence.

By publicly rejecting the “sponsor” label, Uhuru seeks to avoid direct ownership of opposition campaigns while keeping political space open for his allies.