NAIROBI, Kenya – The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has hit back at retired President Uhuru Kenyatta after he said he remains convinced that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election.
UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar accused Kenyatta of refusing to accept the outcome of the election and warned that the political contest could continue into the 2027 General Election.
“Uhuru Kenyatta continues to live and wallow in a fool’s paradise,” Omar said in a statement on Tuesday.
Uhuru maintains Raila won
Kenyatta made the remarks during a Jubilee Party meeting in Nairobi while handing over the party leadership to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
He said he remained convinced that Raila had won the 2022 presidential election despite the official declaration of President William Ruto as the winner.
“And to date I know that he won that election. We know how things happened, and we do not want it to happen that way again,” Kenyatta said.
Kenyatta also questioned how the Azimio coalition could have won a significant number of parliamentary and other elective seats while losing the presidency.
UDA defends Ruto’s victory
Omar rejected Kenyatta’s account, maintaining that Ruto won the 2022 presidential election.
“President William Ruto won the 2022 election decisively and conclusively,” Omar said.
The official results showed Ruto receiving 7,176,141 votes, or 50.49 per cent, against Raila’s 6,942,930 votes, or 48.85 per cent.
The Supreme Court subsequently upheld Ruto’s election after petitions challenging the presidential results were dismissed.
Mutuse hits back at Uhuru
Mutuse, while speaking at a rally in Kalii, Makindu, alleged there was an attempt from the opposition to drive a wedge between leaders associated with UDA and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
“You were the President then. You supported Raila Odinga. You told him many things, but Kenyans made their own decision. We will not allow you to fool other leaders in Kenya,” Mutuse, who famously started the motion which led to the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, said.
The UDA-allied MP further urged Uhuru to respect the decision of the electorate and the current administration, noting that the former President had himself served two terms after being elected by Kenyans.
“Kenya has many families, but your family alone has ruled this country for 25 years. That should make you humble and make you respect Kenyans and the current leadership,” Mutuse said.
UDA accuses Uhuru of interference
Omar also accused Kenyatta’s administration of attempting to influence the outcome of the 2022 election.
The UDA secretary general cited what the party described as events surrounding the tallying process at Bomas of Kenya, as well as alleged threats against former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati.
These allegations were made by UDA and were not accompanied by new evidence establishing the claims.
UDA also accused Kenyatta of engaging in what it described as unconstitutional actions before, during and after the election.
Omar credits Ruto for Uhuru victories
Omar further argued that Ruto played a significant role in Kenyatta’s successful presidential campaigns in 2013 and 2017, when Ruto was his running mate.
“He owes his two terms to President William Ruto,” Omar said.
The comments revive the political rivalry between the two former allies, whose relationship deteriorated during Kenyatta’s second term after Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid and Kenyatta’s support for Raila.
2027 election enters the debate
Omar linked the dispute to the next General Election, saying Ruto would seek another term in 2027.
UDA’s response comes as Kenyatta has increasingly re-entered political debate following his role in Jubilee’s leadership transition and his continued involvement in preparations for the next election.
