Tensions between President William Ruto’s allies and supporters of former President Uhuru Kenyatta have flared once again, following scathing remarks by a prominent Mt. Kenya leader who accused State House operatives of launching personal attacks against the former Head of State.
Speaking during a charged rally in Nyeri, the unidentified leader did not mince words, accusing President Ruto of “sending his boys” – specifically naming Farouk Kibet and an unnamed woman close to the President – to insult Uhuru.
“Nimeona umetuma vijana yako akina Farouk na bibi ya Ruto. Kama wewe ni mwanaume, mtukane wewe mwenyewe,” he said, warning that any further attacks would be met with public backlash.
The remarks came just days after Farouk Kibet, a key aide to President Ruto, called on Parliament to strip retired presidents of their benefits if they remain politically active. Farouk specifically took aim at Uhuru, accusing him of stoking division and influencing opposition politics behind the scenes.
Kenya Kwanza Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah also waded into the fray, bluntly telling Uhuru to “funga mdomo” and stop offering unsolicited advice to the current administration.
In a fierce rebuttal, the Mt. Kenya leader warned Ruto that if verbal attacks continue, the region will mobilize in defense of their “son.”
“Ukifika hapa mlimani, wamama watakupigia nduru, wazee watakupigia nduru, na vijana watakufukuza,” he declared, to loud cheers from the crowd.
Uhuru, who has largely maintained a low profile since his 2022 retirement, recently made headlines after encouraging young Africans to challenge poor governance and foreign dependency.
With Mt. Kenya politics heating up once again, it remains to be seen whether President Ruto will seek to ease the growing rift — or let his allies continue their public offensive.
Gachagua’s previous beef with Uhuru
The former Deputy President has had a well-documented and often tense political history with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, marked by rivalry, betrayal, and shifting alliances—especially during and after the 2022 general elections.
1. Once Allies Under Jubilee
Gachagua and Uhuru were once political allies, both hailing from the Mount Kenya region and working under the Jubilee Party.
Gachagua, a former district officer and technocrat, became a strong backer of Uhuru, especially during his first term.
He actively campaigned for Uhuru’s re-election in 2017 and was seen as part of his Mount Kenya grassroots machinery.
2. Fallout Over the ‘Handshake’
The rift began after the infamous 2018 “Handshake” between Uhuru and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Gachagua, like many in the Tanga Tanga faction of Jubilee (which supported Deputy President William Ruto), felt betrayed. He believed the handshake sidelined Ruto and shifted Jubilee’s focus away from its core agenda.
3. Support for Ruto and Defiance Against Uhuru
As Uhuru increasingly leaned toward Raila, Gachagua firmly positioned himself as Ruto’s staunch supporter, especially in the Mount Kenya region. This openly defied Uhuru’s wishes, who had endorsed Raila for president in 2022.
During this period, Gachagua harshly criticized Uhuru’s leadership, accusing him of weaponizing state institutions, oppressing political opponents, and abandoning the economic concerns of the Mount Kenya people.
4. Uhuru’s Retaliation and State Pressure
Gachagua faced multiple legal battles during Uhuru’s final term, including a high-profile KSh 200 million corruption case. He claimed these were politically motivated, engineered by the state to intimidate him due to his political stand.
5. Post-Election Tensions
After the Kenya Kwanza win in 2022, Gachagua continued to attack Uhuru, blaming him for the country’s debt woes and accusing him of using state resources to campaign against them. He also called for Uhuru to retire quietly and relinquish state benefits if he remained politically active.
However, starting in 2024, Gachagua began to soften his stance. This shift was largely driven by growing divisions in the Mount Kenya region, public fatigue with constant political attacks, and his desire to position himself as a unifier.
In several public appearances between late 2024 and early 2025, Gachagua acknowledged Uhuru’s legacy and insisted the former president deserved respect, even if they disagreed politically.
He has also cautioned allies within Kenya Kwanza against repeatedly attacking Uhuru and warned that the region would no longer tolerate such insults.
