UASIN GISHU, County—President William Ruto has renewed his attacks on retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing his former political ally of betraying an alleged succession agreement and misleading other leaders as political realignments gather pace ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking in Uasin Gishu County during the second day of his development tour of the North Rift, Ruto revisited the collapse of his relationship with Uhuru, claiming the former president had promised to support his presidential ambitions after completing two terms in office.
“I, William Ruto, voted for you four times. I stood with you when you began your journey to seek leadership. I stood with you in 2013. I stood with you in 2017. You conned me. You said 10 years of Uhuru, 10 years of Ruto,” he said.
Ruto accused Uhuru of abandoning him during the 2022 presidential election, when the retired president backed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga instead of his then deputy.
“When the time came for you to stand with me, you conned me, you avoided me, you told Kenyans not to vote for me,” Ruto said.
Ruto won the 2022 presidential election and succeeded Uhuru, whose support for Odinga placed the former allies on opposing sides of the succession contest.
The President also accused Uhuru of misleading Odinga, who died in October 2025, and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. He criticised the retired president’s reported involvement with Jubilee Party leader Fred Matiang’i and other leaders positioning themselves against his administration.
“My friend, please, retire. Stop the con artistry,” Ruto said, urging Uhuru to stop advising Kenyans on whom to elect and how elections should be conducted.
In further personal attacks, Ruto described his predecessor as ungrateful and deceitful, while appealing to residents of the Lake region to consider the political cooperation the two leaders had maintained before their fallout.
The renewed criticism comes as Uhuru has backed Matiang’i in Jubilee’s preparations for the next election, adding to the political contest between Ruto and leaders seeking to challenge his administration.
Ruto defends record
Alongside his criticism of the former president, Ruto defended his administration’s performance, arguing that his government was addressing challenges inherited from the previous administration in education, the economy, housing and healthcare.
He cited the recruitment of teachers, construction of classrooms and changes to the university funding model as measures intended to address problems in the education sector.
On the economy, the President claimed his administration had revived economic growth and brought inflation under control.
He also pointed to the affordable housing programme, saying the government was constructing houses, markets and student hostels.
In healthcare, Ruto said 33 million Kenyans were covered under the government’s Universal Health Coverage arrangements.
The remarks formed part of the President’s wider defence of his administration as political leaders and parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
