President William Ruto has revealed several failed attempts to persuade his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, to take on a different role after leaving office, following private meetings between the two leaders.
Speaking during an interview with the Nation newspaper at State House, Nairobi, Ruto said Kenyatta had an opportunity to become a statesman and rise above politics but instead chose to remain active in opposition politics.
“My predecessor had an option, you know, to become a statesman and rise above politics and, you know, become a unifying, you know, factor in a country. But he chose to climb down and become an opposition leader,” he said.
Ruto reveals attempts to persuade Uhuru
Ruto said he had tried to persuade the former president because of their previous relationship, with Kenyatta having served as his boss when he was Deputy President.
“Of course, I have tried to persuade him, you know, because I thought, as my former boss, you know, I tried to, you know, persuade him that maybe he could play a different role,” Ruto said.
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He recalled discussions with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on how senior leaders could work together to develop a broader vision for Kenya.
Ruto said he told Odinga that they were now elders and leaders of the country and should work together before handing over their vision to the next generation.
According to the president, Raila supported the idea and indicated that he would seek the involvement of other senior figures.
Ruto’s Private Meetings with Uhuru
In his statement, he said that he and the late former prime minister agreed that Kenyatta should be approached because of his experience as president.
He said he personally sought out Kenyatta and first met him in Ichaweri before later visiting him at his office.
“I went out of my way. I looked for him. I went and saw him first in Ichaweri,” Ruto said.
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He said he subsequently spoke to Kenyatta and asked him, as a former head of state, to help forge a new vision for the country.
Ruto said Kenyatta was reluctant and indicated that he was unsure whether he wanted to take up the proposed role, concluding that Kenyatta ultimately chose the role he wanted to play after leaving State House.
“Well, those are choices people make,” Ruto said.
He claimed that Kenyatta instead continued organizing and supporting opposition groups.
The president also questioned the direction of the opposition, asking whether its leaders had a clear idea of where they were taking the country.
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President Ruto has the mandate, the office, and the machinery of government. He must articulate a credible vision, execute it, and show Kenyans measurable results.
If the vision works, people will follow.
Blaming the opposition, or a former president will not rescue it.
In 2027, Kenyans, not Uhuru Kenyatta, will decide whether that his leadership deserves another mandate.