President William Ruto has renewed his criticism of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing his predecessor of financing Opposition efforts aimed at undermining his administration and pushing for his removal from office.
Speaking to residents in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on Thursday, Ruto questioned Uhuru’s record in office, particularly on affordable housing, universal health coverage and education, while accusing the former president of now supporting political actors opposed to his government.
“Mkipima wale watu, ule sponsor wao, alishindwa na maneno ya Affordable Housing? Alishindwa na mambo ya Universal Health Coverage? Alishindwa na maneno ya kusomesha watoto wetu?” Ruto posed.
The President claimed that his predecessor had shifted his focus to supporting individuals seeking to challenge his administration.
“Sasa ameenda kupanga vibaraka wake, anatuma hapa watu kuja kushindana na mimi. Hawa watu nitawaosha asubuhi na mapema,” Ruto said.
Ruto also dismissed the Opposition’s “one term” and “must go” rhetoric, arguing that Kenyans should judge leaders based on their performance and development record rather than political slogans.
“Kila kiongozi anapimwa na kazi amefanya. Hakuna mtu atakuja kututapeli hapa ati kasongo, one term, must go, alafu tumpe kazi, hiyo ni ufala bana,” he stated.
Ruto Defends Affordable Housing Programme
The President used the occasion to highlight his administration’s development agenda, pointing to affordable housing projects, markets and hostels being constructed across the country.
He said the projects were creating employment opportunities for young people and argued that the government’s focus on construction would provide more opportunities for the youth.
Ruto further encouraged young people currently working on affordable housing projects to prepare for additional opportunities, saying he intends to expand the programme if re-elected.
“Nyinyi vijana, hii kazi ya Affordable Housing mkimaliza, niko na kazi ingine. Anzeni kujipanga. Hii kazi nataka tuendelee kwa miaka 20, tufanye Kenya iwe construction site, ndo Kenya iwe nchi ambayo tunaweza kujivunia,” he said.
The President’s remarks come amid growing political exchanges between Kenya Kwanza leaders and Opposition figures over the emerging political movements calling for changes in government.
Kenya Kwanza Links Uhuru to Linda Mwananchi
The allegations against Uhuru come after several Kenya Kwanza leaders accused the former President of backing the Linda Mwananchi movement and broader Opposition activities.
On July 24, 2026, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot made similar claims during an empowerment event in Taita Taveta County.
Cheruiyot attacked members of the movement, accusing them of engaging in criminal activities and claiming they were being supported by the retired President.
“Wiki iliyopita wale wakora wa sijui Linda nini walikuwa hapa. Wacha niwaambie, kama kuna drug dealers, washerati, extortionists, wezi na wakora, ni kile kikundi kilikuwa hapa,” Cheruiyot said.
He further alleged that the group had been sent to attack Ruto politically as part of a campaign built around calls for the President to serve only one term.
Sifuna Rejects Claims
However, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has dismissed claims that Uhuru is financially supporting Opposition activities.
Speaking during Citizen TV’s Explainer on July 28, Sifuna acknowledged that he communicates with Uhuru, noting that the former President remains the leader of the Azimio coalition.
“I speak to him because he’s the party leader of Azimio. I do speak to Uhuru, yeah. He does not provide financial assistance, maybe just encouraging us,” Sifuna said.
According to Sifuna, Uhuru’s public involvement has largely centred on encouraging young people to participate in leadership and take a more active role in the country’s political affairs.
“When he speaks, and he does it in public, he says young people need to be encouraged to take leadership. You’ve heard him saying it,” he added.
The latest exchange adds to the growing political confrontation between President Ruto’s administration and Opposition figures as political alliances and movements continue to take shape ahead of the country’s next electoral contest.
Ruto has maintained that his administration should be judged on its development record, while his critics continue to raise questions about the government’s performance and call for political change.
The President’s latest remarks are likely to further intensify the debate over Uhuru Kenyatta’s political role and whether the former Head of State is actively supporting efforts against the current administration.
