Before becoming Kenya’s fourth President, Uhuru Kenyatta spent years building a career in business and private enterprise.
Despite being the son of Kenya’s founding President, Jomo Kenyatta, he did not immediately join active politics after completing his education.
Instead, he focused on business interests and management, only emerging on the political scene in the late 1990s.
Uhuru Kenyatta studied Political Science and Economics at Amherst College in the United States before returning to Kenya.
After completing his studies, he was involved in business ventures and family-owned enterprises, gaining experience in management and the private sector.
According to biographical accounts, one of his early undertakings was Wilham Kenya Limited, a company involved in sourcing and exporting agricultural produce.
In addition to his own business activities, Uhuru became involved in the management of investments associated with the wider Kenyatta family. The family held interests in sectors including agriculture, hospitality, media and real estate,
During this period, he maintained a low public profile and was largely known as a businessman rather than a politician.
Unlike other politicians who began their careers through student activism or local politics, Uhuru’s initial professional life was rooted in commerce and enterprise.
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First Step Into Electoral Politics
Uhuru’s political journey began during the 1997 General Election when he contested the Gatundu South parliamentary seat in Kiambu County.
The constituency had once been represented by his father, Jomo Kenyatta.
However, his first attempt at elective office was unsuccessful, as he lost to Moses Mwihia.
Following the 1997 election, former President Daniel arap Moi played a significant role in Uhuru’s rise in public life.
In 1999, Moi appointed him chairman of the Kenya Tourist Board, giving him one of his first major leadership positions in government.
Two years later, in 2001, Moi nominated Uhuru to Parliament and appointed him Minister for Local Government.
Uhuru Becoming KANU’s Presidential Candidate
Uhuru’s biggest political breakthrough came in 2002 when President Moi endorsed him as KANU’s presidential candidate and preferred successor.
At just 40 years old, Uhuru found himself leading KANU’s presidential campaign in one of the most competitive elections in Kenya’s history.
Despite the backing of the ruling party, Uhuru lost the 2002 presidential election to Mwai Kibaki of the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC). The result ended KANU’s nearly 40-year hold on power and represented the first major defeat of Uhuru’s political career.
Uhuru remained active and began building his own political base, and the defeat forced him to establish an identity beyond Moi’s support and the influence associated with the Kenyatta family name.
Following the election, Uhuru became Leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament, which kept him at the center of national political discussions while strengthening his influence within KANU.
He later became chairman of KANU and continued to play a prominent role in shaping national politics. During this period, he worked to expand his support base across different regions.
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Service in Kibaki’s Government
Uhuru joined coalition arrangements that brought together former political rivals. He subsequently served in several key government positions under President Mwai Kibaki.
Among the offices he held were:
- Minister for Local Government
- Minister for Trade
- Minister for Finance
- Deputy Prime Minister
By 2013, Uhuru had spent more than a decade in national politics, serving in both opposition and government. He entered the General Election as the candidate of the Jubilee Alliance coalition, with William Ruto as his running mate.
The partnership proved successful, and Uhuru won the presidential election. He was sworn in as Kenya’s fourth President on April 9, 2013.
Uhuru’s Life as President
Under the Jubilee administration, major investments were made in roads, energy projects and other public infrastructure aimed at supporting economic growth and regional connectivity.
One of the biggest projects associated with his first term was the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which was launched as a flagship infrastructure initiative connecting Mombasa and Nairobi
In August 2017, Uhuru successfully sought a second term in office.
The Supreme Court annulled the initial presidential election results and ordered a fresh poll, citing irregularities in the electoral process.
Uhuru subsequently participated in the repeat election held in October 2017 and was re-elected President.
His second term focused on what became known as the “Big Four Agenda,” an agenda centered on manufacturing, food security, affordable housing, and universal healthcare.
After serving the maximum two terms allowed under the Constitution, Uhuru Kenyatta did not seek re-election in 2022. During the election period, he backed opposition leader Raila Odinga as his preferred successor
However, Deputy President William Ruto won the 2022 presidential election and was sworn in as Kenya’s fifth President on September 13, 2022, succeeding Uhuru.
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