Moses Wetangula challenged Uhuru Kenyatta’s election claim during a women’s empowerment programme in Matungu, Kakamega County.
Moses Wetangula and other leaders reject Uhuru Kenyatta’s assertion, urging respect for the presidential result upheld by the Supreme Court.
Kenya Kwanza leaders have criticised retired President Uhuru Kenyatta for asserting that Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election, warning that reopening the dispute could heighten political tensions ahead of the 2027 polls.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula led the criticism during a women’s empowerment programme at Mirere Comprehensive School in Matungu Constituency, Kakamega County. He challenged Kenyatta to explain why he peacefully transferred power to William Ruto if he believed the declared result was wrong.
Kenyatta made the claim during a Jubilee Party meeting in Nairobi on September 22, saying he remained convinced that Odinga had won. Ruto was officially declared the winner, and the Supreme Court dismissed petitions challenging the result and upheld his election.
Wetangula questions Uhuru’s position
Wetangula accused the former President of attempting to weaken public confidence in Ruto’s administration and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). He urged Kenyatta to respect the presidency and allow Ruto to fulfil his constitutional mandate.
The Speaker also questioned Kenyatta’s campaigning for Odinga in Mt Kenya during the 2022 race. He argued that the former President needed to explain to ODM supporters why he had not done more to mobilise votes for their candidate in his political stronghold.
Wetangula further called on Kenyatta to step back from active politics, saying peace and stability should take priority as the country approaches another general election.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot similarly urged Kenyatta to accept the election outcome. He also accused the former President of undermining Ruto while he served as Deputy President.
Barasa backs Ruto and Wetangula
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa said attempts to undermine the Kenya Kwanza administration would fail, arguing that the government remained focused on development.
Barasa pledged support for Ruto’s second-term bid and called on him to back Wetangula for the presidency in 2032. MPs David Ndakwa and Oscar Nabulindo also presented Wetangula as their preferred candidate for a future Luhya bid for the presidency.
Other leaders who criticised Kenyatta included Senator Vincent Kiprono, MPs Emmanuel Wangwe, Innocent Mugabe and Florence Jematiah, and presidential aide Farouk Kibet.
In arguing for continued support for the administration, the leaders cited projects in Western Kenya, including Level Six hospitals in Kakamega and Bungoma, Standard Gauge Railway expansion and the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba highway project.
They also pointed to efforts to revive Mumias and Nzoia sugar factories, payments of outstanding dues to sugarcane farmers and former Pan Paper Mills workers, and construction of markets and stadiums. Barasa said the national government had allocated Sh12 billion to tarmac 200 kilometres of roads in Kakamega and had established 25 modern markets.
Leaders welcome IEBC tallying ruling
The leaders also welcomed a High Court decision affirming the IEBC’s authority to tally and verify presidential election results nationally.
In the September 22 ruling, Justice Gregory Mutai held that national tallying and verification was constitutional. However, he made clear that the commission could not use that process to change figures already declared and certified at constituency level.
The decision comes as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election, with political debate again focusing on presidential results and the role of the national tallying centre.
