President William Ruto's aide, Farouk Kibet, recently went after Uhuru Kenyatta as he urged Parliament to go after the former Head of State's retirement benefits.
While speaking in Vihiga, Farouk was thoroughly critical of Uhuru, whom he accused of practising divisive politics, despite exiting the political scene after his 10-year presidential term came to an end.
As a measure to regulate the influence of retired political leaders, Farouk further called on Parliament to table a motion to have former Heads of State surrender their retirement benefits once they step away from politics.
“I want to ask the former president, what did he leave at the State House? Is there anything he left?” Kibet posed.
“I want to tell him to stop inciting politics. We are now telling Ichung’wah, the Majority Leader, to table a motion that whenever a political leader retires, his benefits should go to the people.”
Since his presidential term came to an end, Uhuru has tried to maintain a neutral stance in Kenyan politics, and there have been hints that he is still in good standing with his former deputy, who is now the current head of state, William Ruto.
However, this has not stopped the former Head of State from courting controversy with subtle criticisms of the government – something which has not augured well with Kenya Kwanza allies.
In January, Uhuru elicited mixed reactions by siding with the United States' move to cut donor funds, saying third-world countries should develop mechanisms to depend on themselves.
That same month, the former president called on the so-called 'Gen-Zs' to stand up for themselves against poor governance during his keynote address at the Second Annual Guild Leaders’ Summit 2025, held at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.
Since then, Uhuru has been the recipient of criticism from Kenya Kwanza allies, with Farouk Kibet arguably being the most vocal critic of the former president.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also recently urged Uhuru to refrain from criticising the government, particularly because he (Uhuru) has an idea of what it takes to run a national government.
“We gave you space to rule for ten years when you were the President. We did not incite you but gave you the chance to be President. Please follow the example of your predecessors and give President William Ruto a chance to rule,” Duale said.
