President William Ruto has revealed how he made personal attempts to bring his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta back to his side after their political relationship fell apart.
Ruto said he personally visited Uhuru at his Ichaweri home and later went to his Nairobi office, hoping the former president would play a different role in the country’s politics.
The President said he approached Uhuru because of his experience as a former Head of State and their previous relationship, with Uhuru having served as his boss when Ruto was Deputy President.
“I went out of my way. I looked for him. I went and saw him first in Ichaweri,” Ruto said.
According to Ruto, he wanted Uhuru to use his experience to help shape a new vision for the country rather than remain actively involved in political battles.
“I thought, as my former boss, you know, I tried to persuade him that maybe he could play a different role,” Ruto said.
However, Ruto said Uhuru was reluctant to take up the role and did not appear convinced by his proposal.
The revelations come at a time when Uhuru has once again become active in opposition politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Uhuru recently chaired an Azimio meeting as opposition leaders step up efforts to build a coalition capable of challenging Ruto in the next election.
Ruto has now openly questioned Uhuru’s decision to remain involved in opposition politics, saying the former President had an opportunity to rise above political contests and serve as a statesman.
“It is an open secret that my predecessor has not gotten out of what happened in 2022,” Ruto said, referring to Uhuru’s political position after the disputed election.
The President’s latest remarks offer a glimpse into the efforts he made to repair his relationship with his former boss after succeeding him in 2022.
The two leaders had worked together for a decade before their relationship deteriorated during the final years of the Jubilee administration.
Ruto’s account also comes as the two former political allies find themselves on opposite sides of the 2027 political battle, with Uhuru increasingly associated with efforts to unite the opposition against the current administration.
For now, Ruto says he tried to bring Uhuru closer, but the former President chose a different political path.