President William Ruto has challenged Uhuru Kenyatta’s assessment of voter sentiment ahead of 2027.
President William Ruto rejects Uhuru Kenyatta’s assessment of voter sentiment as his predecessor urges opposition leaders to unite.
President William Ruto challenges Uhuru Kenyatta’s assessment of voter sentiment ahead of the 2027 General Election. He urged his predecessor to consult sober Kenyans rather than people he described as drunkards.
Speaking at a political rally in Kisii on November 11, Ruto disputed Uhuru’s claim that voters had already decided. Earlier that day, Uhuru had argued that opposition unity remained the main obstacle to challenging the President.
Ruto also mocked Uhuru’s account of hearing public opinion during village visits in search of uji, or porridge. He questioned whether those conversations offered a credible picture of the country’s political mood.
Ruto challenges Uhuru to consult workers
The President urged Uhuru to speak to farmers, teachers, doctors and other employed Kenyans. He also pointed to workers involved in the government’s Affordable Housing Programme as people his predecessor should consult.
Ruto argued that these groups would give a positive assessment of the country’s direction. His response directly challenged Uhuru’s view that ordinary citizens increasingly wanted a change in political leadership.
Meanwhile, Ruto criticised opposition leaders for celebrating recent by-election results as evidence of a wider political shift. He maintained that they had won only one by-election and were exaggerating its significance.
The President argued that the outcome did not demonstrate national popularity. He also used a Swahili expression to portray the opposition’s celebrations as excessive boasting.
Uhuru presses opposition leaders to unite
Uhuru spoke during a requiem mass for his cousin, Beatrice Wambui Muturi, at PCEA Nairobi West Church. Although he had retired from active politics, he said he continued visiting villages and listening to residents.
Those interactions, he argued, suggested that voters had settled their political preferences. However, he said opposition leaders still needed to resolve their differences and agree on a common direction.
He specifically appealed to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa. Uhuru urged them to set aside individual ambitions because only one person could hold the presidency at a time.
He also asked the leaders to focus on Kenya’s future rather than past disagreements. In addition, he argued that justice must underpin national unity and lasting peace.
Opposition leaders are negotiating a common platform ahead of the August 2027 election. The latest exchange also reflects the strained relationship between Ruto and Uhuru, who backed Raila Odinga in 2022 after supporting Ruto’s presidential ambitions in earlier elections.
