Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, on Monday, May 22, threw his successor, President William Ruto, back to the drawing board in their escalating row, after he emerged from the shadows to reclaim his throne as the Jubilee's party leader.
During Jubilee Party's National Delegates Convention held at the Ngong Racecourse, the retired president declined to be pushed into retirement - insisting that he would continue advocating for the interests of the party at the helm.
With an unwavering spirit and a burning desire to shape the party's future and rescue it from Ruto's grasp, Uhuru lashed back at his detractors in the Kenya-Kwanza administration, who he lamented, had threatened him to the extent of raiding his families Northlands City.
According to political analysts, the statement, which shifted the political scenario, leaves President William Ruto with few tricks to curtail his predecessor's influence. However, Ruto is walking in unchartered waters as he is the first head of state to publicly battle his politically active predecessor.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, political analyst Dr Jane Thuo opined that Uhuru was flexing his power as the pressure from the presidency was off his shoulder. She noted that Ruto's escape route would be listening to the people and listening to their pleas.
"Uhuru knows where the gap is, and now the masses are no longer angry with him as they were before. Now that he is no longer president, he is not that busy. He knows that Mt Kenya doesn't have a kingmaker; hence, he is active, as he wants to remain relevant and influence power. He can decide to make life unbearable for an administration." Dr Jane Thuo, a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, opined.
Contrary to popular belief, the analyst projected that Ruto could befriend Uhuru to join the Kenya-Kwanza administration, indicating that anything is possible in politics.
Thuo added that the retired president's influence extended overseas, meaning the Kenya Kwanza administration could not tie him politically or financially using retirement benefits.
"He can donate it to the State as he doesn't care. They can't tie him down because he has the financial muscle and business network locally and internationally," she indicated, citing the government's threat to deny Uhuru his Ksh700 million retirement package. Part of the money, Ksh78 million, was already released around April 2023.
Analyst Barack Muluka, a former secretary general of the Amani National Congress, held a different opinion indicating that Uhuru needed 'help' as his time in the political limelight had lapsed months ago.
"He needs help because the law gave him six months (to retire) which has lapsed. If he still prancing around calling himself a party leader, there's something wrong. Ruto should find somebody who can help him as it's as if he is still in shock that he is no longer the president," he noted.
The analyst indicated that Uhuru's insatiable thirst for politics was driven by people in his circle who tapped him for cash to fund their endeavours, profiting from the stalling of the bipartisan talks.
Muluka, however, agreed with Thuo that Uhuru did not care about his Ksh1.2 million monthly pension and other lucrative allowances.
"Perhaps he has lost the capacity to care," he noted.
Uhuru's return also affects Deputy Rigathi Gachagua's plan to consolidate the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Elections. Gachagua has been on both a charm offensive and frustrating his rivals to establish himself as the kingpin, in place of Uhuru.
Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, and Usawa Party Leader, Mwangi wa Iria, blamed the DP for Jubilee woes, with the latter further accusing him of orchestrating his arrest on what he argued was trumped up charges. Raila and Iria addressed Jubilee's NDC at Ngong Racecourse on Monday, May 22.
Gachagua has the support of key Ruto allies, Moses Kuria (CS Trade) and MPs Kimani Ichungw'ah (Kikuyu), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Senator John Methu (Nyandarua), among others. But with Uhuru Kenyatta demanding the return of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and a section of Mt Kenya politicians pushing for the one man, one shilling narrative, Gachagua was also drawn back to the drawing back to contemplate his next move.
Ruto, according to political analysts, may also be pressured to recall Uhuru as Kenya's special envoy, a role he offered the former President after he handed over power in September 2022.
With Uhuru embracing the battle with Ruto, experts wait to see what options the latter would explore, with reports claiming that he may also halt the bipartisan talks with Raila Odinga.
However, while speaking at Jubilee's NDC, opposition leaders reiterated that they were ready to recall protests to heap pressure on Ruto's administration. In early 2023, foreign powers led by US Senator Chris Coon, led talks among Raila, Uhuru and Ruto to lower the political temperatures in the country.
