HOMA BAY, Kenya- President William Ruto has asked former President Uhuru Kenyatta to stop undermining his administration as he intensified the criticism of his former political ally during his tour of the Luo Nyanza region.
Speaking during a rally in Sindo, Homa Bay County, on Thursday, Ruto revisited their political relationship and the events leading to the 2022 General Election.
The President said he supported Uhuru during four elections and expected the former Head of State to back his presidential bid after completing his two terms in office.
Ruto referred to the “10 years for Uhuru and 10 years for Ruto” political arrangement promoted by their supporters during the Jubilee administration.
“I stood with you, helped you and worked for you,” Ruto said, adding that Uhuru later chose to work against his presidential campaign.
He, however, acknowledged that the former President had the democratic right to support a candidate of his choice.
Ruto accused Uhuru of undermining and sabotaging his government through demonstrations and opposition activities over the past four years.
He urged him to respect the office of a retired president and allow the government to discharge its mandate.
“For the last four years, you have been undermining this administration,” Ruto said. “Stop undermining the administration. You are a retired president. Respect your office.”
The remarks marked another attack on Uhuru during Ruto’s tour of Luo Nyanza counties.
While campaigning in Siaya County earlier in the week, Ruto described his predecessor as a “rebel leader” who had failed to embrace the role of a retired statesman.
He also accused Uhuru of sponsoring opposition figures associated with the Linda Mwananchi movement and seeking to destabilise his administration.
Ruto linked Siaya Governor James Orengo and other opposition leaders to the former President during the attack.
The President welcomed a High Court ruling that barred retired presidents from holding political party leadership positions beyond six months after leaving office.
Uhuru subsequently announced that he would respect the decision and facilitate the transfer of the Jubilee Party leadership.
Ruto and Uhuru were elected together in 2013 and 2017, with Ruto serving as Deputy President throughout Uhuru’s two terms.
Their relationship deteriorated during their second term after Uhuru entered into a political partnership with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Uhuru later supported Raila’s presidential bid in 2022, while Ruto contested and won the election under the United Democratic Alliance.
