The Monday 9 December, 2024 visit by President William Ruto to meet his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta at his Ichaweri home still baffles many, given the apparent frosty relations between the two then. Although not directly attacking each other, their supporters went at each other’s throats on social media and on public platforms. One notable incident was the raid on the Kenyatta family Northlands Farm, where sheep were stolen in March, 2023.
The statement from State House was however soft. It said the two leaders discussed matters of national and regional importance and underscored the importance of cultivating a nationalistic, patriotic, and harmonious working relationship among all Kenyans and stakeholders.
“President Ruto took the opportunity to reiterate his appreciation and commendation of His Excellency President Kenyatta’s statesmanship in overseeing the peaceful transfer of power after the 2022 elections, as well as the goodwill the former President has continued to demonstrate toward his fellow leaders and his support for Kenya’s ongoing progress and development,” the statement read in part.
Two significant events were unfolding at the time, with one precipitated by the impeachment of the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the fate of the Mount Kenya vote after the fallout. Uhuru still wields a lot of power in the region and his support would definitely help in calming the political fire that Gachagua kept stoking.
Uhuru is the AU-Kenya Peace Envoy and Facilitator of the EAC-Led Nairobi Peace Process and February, 2025 had been set aside for the election of the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson where ODM leader and at the time Ruto’s strong ally was a top contender for the position. Certainly, Ruto wanted the backing of Uhuru for the AUC bid.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was among top leaders who hailed the Ruto-Uhuru meeting describing it as good for the country’s stability and development.
Other subsequent meetings between the two former political allies turned foes were either by chance like the one at State House where the two leaders were attending a joint meeting of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Co-Chairs with the Panel of Facilitators for the DRC Peace Process.
Uhuru was part of the deliberations in his official capacity as a facilitator of the EAC-led Nairobi Process on the Peace and Security Situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
There was speculation that after the cabinet reshuffle and the subsequent birth of the broad based government that saw John Mbadi, Opiyo Wandayi, Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya and other ODM leaders joining government, Uhuru had a hand in the appointment of William Kabogo, Lee Kinyanjui and Mutahi Kagwe.
The fact that nobody has come out to refute claims of Uhuru’s involvement in their appointment raises issues that the December, 2024 meeting and ensuing meetings between the two were not happenchance after all.
Uhuru, as Jubilee Party leader has been sending mixed signals. He has already endorsed former interior CS Fred Matiangi as his preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 elections but has also defended Gachagua from attacks by his lieutenants.
