NAIROBI, Kenya – Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto were on Friday publicly seen together for the first time in nearly eight months, rekindling political curiosity about their strained but significant relationship.
The two leaders shared a platform at State House, Nairobi, during a joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) co-chairs meeting with facilitators overseeing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) peace process.
Also in attendance was Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who chairs SADC.
Uhuru attended in his official capacity as AU-Kenya Peace Envoy and Facilitator of the EAC-Led Nairobi Process — a role he has held since his appointment by President Ruto in 2022.
This was the first public appearance of the two leaders together since December 9, 2024, when Ruto visited Uhuru at his Ichaweri home in Gatundu.
The East African Community and the Southern African Development Community are committed to working with other partners to find a lasting solution for sustainable peace in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.Our resolve to end war, loss of life and ensure comprehensive
That meeting had been described as focused on “national and regional interests,” though it attracted intense public and media speculation.
Their latest appearance underscores a delicate balancing act: while not openly hostile, Uhuru and Ruto have remained politically distant, especially following their high-profile fallout in the run-up to the 2022 General Election, during which Uhuru endorsed opposition leader Raila Odinga over his then-deputy.
Despite the political betrayal, Ruto has consistently defended his decision to retain Uhuru as a regional peace envoy, citing national interest and institutional stability over personal vendettas.
“I’m the President of Kenya, I’m the big brother now, and it’s in my place to work with him,” Ruto told Al Jazeera in a 2022 interview, shortly after assuming office.
In the months following his inauguration, Ruto repeatedly emphasized the importance of national cohesion, a message he reinforced when announcing his March 2025 Memorandum of Understanding with Raila Odinga, which drew both praise and criticism.
Ruto’s stance has been clear: personal rivalries must not disrupt the governance and progress of the nation.
His continued cooperation with Uhuru — and now their public show of unity — aligns with this broader message.
By appearing side-by-side with Uhuru, Ruto reinforces his image as a statesman willing to rise above political divisions for the greater good.
In doing so, he also neutralizes potential criticism that his administration is sidelining former leaders.
For Uhuru, who has largely avoided domestic political debates since leaving office, Friday’s meeting was a reminder of his ongoing relevance, especially in continental diplomacy.
His stewardship of the DRC peace process remains a critical part of Kenya’s regional foreign policy.
While the reunion may have been diplomatically choreographed, it also carried subtle political undertones.
In a nation where political divisions often run deep and long, the image of Kenya’s current and former Presidents shaking hands inside State House served as a reminder that sometimes, statecraft must transcend rivalry — even if temporarily.
