Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta accused President William Ruto of wasting time attacking him instead of addressing Kenya’s challenges during a funeral service in Kirinyaga County on October 3, 2023. Speaking at Mugumo Primary School, Kenyatta urged Ruto to focus on improving services for Kenyans and warned the Mt Kenya region against repeating the 2022 election of Ruto, which he described as a mistake. 'They are calling me all manner of names... I am not his competitor,' Kenyatta said, emphasizing his disinterest in political office and urging Ruto to 'mind his own business.'
Kenyatta’s remarks came amid a gathering of opposition leaders, including Wiper Patriotic Front’s Kalonzo Musyoka and People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, who attended the funeral of Mwalimu Jackson Karua, Martha’s father. The event highlighted tensions within Kenyan politics, with Kenyatta recalling his 2022 warning to Mt Kenya residents to back Raila Odinga and Martha Karua instead of Ruto. 'I told our people to back Raila and Martha... but they did not listen. They are now crying,' he said, urging them not to repeat the 'same mistake' in 2027.
Opposition leaders at the event vowed to unite against Ruto, with Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina calling for a single presidential candidate to challenge him. 'They are calling me all manner of names... I am not his competitor,' Kenyatta said, emphasizing his disinterest in political office and urging Ruto to 'mind his own business.'
The opposition accused Ruto of corruption and economic mismanagement, with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino stating, 'Only bewitched people can cast votes in favour of Dr Ruto.' Siaya Governor James Orengo claimed the Mt Kenya region, which helped Ruto win in 2022, had now turned against him, predicting his defeat in 2027. 'Mt Kenya has pulled out from Dr Ruto's camp and he will definitely lose in the next polls,' Orengo said.
Ruto’s critics also alleged electoral fraud, with DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa claiming, 'Voters are being imported from Uganda and Somalia to be used in the polls.' Edwin Sifuna, a Linda Mwananchi leader, joked, 'Ruto is branding me a conman, but given a chance, I can easily floor him in a fair political game.' Justin Muturi of the Democratic Party accused Ruto of 'clutching at straws' as he faced mounting pressure.
Kenyatta reiterated his stance that Ruto’s attacks on him were futile, stating, 'He is insulting me, but he is wasting time with someone who is not looking for any post.' He called on Ruto to wait until the 2027 election to face Kenyans’ judgment. The former president also criticized Ruto for blaming his failures on him, saying, 'He is wasting time fighting me.'
The opposition’s unity efforts were underscored by Martha Karua, who urged Kenyans to 'be patient' as the coalition aimed to unseat Ruto. The event also featured discussions on electoral processes, including the 50%+1 threshold required for presidential victory, as lecturers rejected a proposed overhaul of tertiary education financing. Meanwhile, a separate report highlighted the tragic case of a pregnant woman allegedly pushed from a police vehicle over a Sh1,000 bribe.