KIHARU, Kenya – Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has appeared to embrace the “Sponyo” nickname used against him in recent political exchanges, turning it into a light-hearted sign-off during a funeral in Murang’a County.
Uhuru made the remarks on Friday, September 18, 2026, while attending the burial of Christine Waruguru Kariuki, the mother of former State House Deputy Comptroller George Kariuki, in Gikuu, Kiharu.
The former President had initially planned to speak without a written script but changed course, saying he was concerned that his spontaneous remarks could be interpreted differently by the media.
“Usually me I speak off cuff, but these days life is becoming quite dangerous for me, so I have decided before the media goes to misinterpret my words, wacha nisome ile niko nayo,” Uhuru said.
He then proceeded with a prepared condolence message for the bereaved family. After completing the message, however, Uhuru returned to an unscripted moment and referenced the nickname that has featured prominently in recent political exchanges involving him and President William Ruto.
“Asanteni sana, ni hayo machache kutoka kwa ‘sponyo’ tutaonana na tunaendelea kuwa pamoja,” Uhuru said, drawing laughter from mourners.
The phrase translates roughly to, “Thank you very much, that is all from Sponyo; we will see each other and continue being together.”
“Sponyo” is a slang-style rendering of the word “sponsor”. The nickname has emerged from accusations by Ruto and his allies that Uhuru is backing or financing political activities against the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Ruto renewed those accusations during his Nyanza tour on Thursday, September 17, a day before Uhuru made the joke.
Speaking in Homa Bay, Ruto accused his predecessor of opposing his administration and urged him to step back from active political mobilisation.
“I stood by you through four elections; I stood by you, helped you, took care of you, and worked for you,” Ruto said, referring to his political partnership with Uhuru.
Ruto also referred to what he described as an agreement between the two leaders to support each other’s presidential ambitions.
“When the time came for you to help me, after you said ‘ten years for you, ten years for me,’ not even for a single day did you support me,” he said.
In another part of his Nyanza tour, Ruto accused Uhuru of supporting opposition activity and used language associated with the “sponsor” narrative.
The President also told Uhuru to respect his position as a retired Head of State.
“You are a retired president. Respect your office. Go and relax, wacha sisi tupange hii nchi yetu ya Kenya,” Ruto said in Homa Bay.
Against that backdrop, Uhuru’s decision to refer to himself as “Sponyo” appeared to turn a label used by his political opponents into a joke.
For most of his address, Uhuru avoided the political confrontation surrounding him and focused on the late Christine Waruguru Kariuki and her family.
Uhuru attended the burial alongside former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and People’s Party of Kenya leader Ndindi Nyoro.
The former President has maintained a lower public profile since leaving State House in 2022 but has continued to feature in Kenya’s political conversations.
His latest appearance also came as opposition figures and parties increasingly position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
