Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has criticised President William Ruto and leaders allied to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), accusing them of promoting divisive ethnic politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a Jubilee Party delegates’ meeting in Kiambu on Monday, May 25, #Uhuru condemned recent political remarks he described as dangerous to national unity. Without directly naming individuals, the former Head of State faulted leaders for making inflammatory statements in the presence of senior government officials without being reprimanded.
“Nobody is supposed to threaten a certain community because we are all Kenyans. You should not divide us,” Uhuru said.
He warned that Kenya risked reviving the kind of ethnic tensions that contributed to the 2007 post-election violence if leaders failed to promote peaceful politics.
“We have started seeing others spreading divisive ethnic politics. They make such remarks openly and nobody stops them,” he stated, appearing to fault President Ruto for remaining silent over recent comments made by UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar during the President’s coastal tour last week.
Omar has faced criticism over remarks perceived to target the Mount Kenya community and his continued attacks on Uhuru, comments critics say could heighten political tensions ahead of 2027.
Uhuru urged politicians to focus on policies and development agendas instead of divisive rhetoric that could destabilise the country.
The former President also explained why he remains active in politics despite retiring from office. He said ongoing court battles involving the Jubilee Party forced him to stay on and stabilise the party.
“When I left the presidency, I stepped away in good faith, but unnecessary court cases forced me to remain involved,” he said, adding that the party had already begun restructuring its leadership.