President William Ruto hosted his predecessor and political adversary Uhuru Kenyatta at State House Nairobi today during a high-level meeting on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) peace process.
The two met as co-facilitators under the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) frameworks. But beneath the handshakes and smiles lies a deeper story of betrayal, rivalry, and political hypocrisy.
This meeting marks a dramatic moment in Kenyan politics, as Uhuru—who has publicly opposed Ruto’s administration and is rumored to be funding a rival 2027 presidential candidate—sits at the same table with the man he’s accused of ruining the country.
Ruto Hosts Uhuru Kenyatta in the Midst of Heated 2027 Political Undercurrents
While the official State House event was about regional peace, many Kenyans couldn’t ignore the uncomfortable optics of the reunion between President Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta. The meeting was framed as a joint EAC-SADC consultation to coordinate peace efforts in the eastern DRC. Ruto, as the EAC chair, and Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, representing the SADC, were leading the charge.
Uhuru was there in his official capacity as a regional peace facilitator, part of a team that includes heavyweights like Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo and South Africa’s Kgalema Motlanthe. But back home, Uhuru has remained a vocal critic of the Ruto administration, calling out alleged mismanagement, corruption, and economic failure.
Just weeks ago, the former president rallied the youth to reject what he described as a “thieving regime,” accusing Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government of milking public coffers dry. He has also been linked to efforts to back former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i as a presidential candidate to challenge Ruto in 2027.
This makes their State House photo-op more of a political charade than a genuine partnership.
Uhuru’s Double Game
Uhuru Kenyatta’s sudden reappearance in the corridors of power is raising eyebrows, especially considering his tainted legacy. While presenting himself as a peacemaker abroad, Uhuru is under increasing scrutiny at home for how he ran the country during his decade-long reign.
His most controversial project, the Nairobi Expressway, is now seen as a textbook case of abuse of office. The 27-kilometer toll road, praised at launch, is now mired in corruption allegations.
Investigations and whistleblowers have revealed that proxy companies linked to the Kenyatta family were behind its construction—at an outrageous cost of Sh88 billion.
The project was not just expensive; it was exploitative. Kenyan taxpayers are shouldering a debt-fueled burden while the Kenyatta family reportedly earns returns from toll fees and shadowy maintenance contracts. Despite the public outcry, there has been little accountability.
For a man who accuses embattled Ruto of state capture, Uhuru’s own track record is deeply ironic.
Why Embattled Ruto Entertained the Reunion
So, why did President Ruto agree to host his bitter rival? Some say it was diplomacy. Others call it optics—an attempt to show that Kenya is mature enough to lead African peace efforts despite internal political warfare.
But insiders suggest a different narrative. Ruto is keenly aware of Uhuru’s silent political moves. By bringing him to State House, he might be aiming to neutralize his influence—at least in the eyes of the public.
Hosting Uhuru under the official umbrella of peace talks gives Ruto the high ground and shows he’s bigger than political grudges.
Still, it doesn’t erase the reality that Uhuru remains a thorn in his side. Sources within Kenya Kwanza believe Uhuru’s push to bankroll a “Project Matiang’i” is alive and well, with funds flowing quietly from Mount Kenya elites and foreign allies aligned with the former regime.
If Uhuru truly wants peace, critics argue, he should start by being transparent about his own dealings—especially his family’s role in state contracts and public debt accumulation.
Final Word
Kenya’s top two political figures may share a table for continental diplomacy, but behind closed doors, they are adversaries in a cold war that is heating up toward 2027.
The Nairobi Expressway scandal, Uhuru’s quiet campaign machine, and his open criticism of the Ruto administration show that this meeting was nothing more than a temporary ceasefire.
As Kenyans grapple with a failing economy and rising public debt, many are demanding answers—not photo ops. Peace in DRC may be the official goal. But peace in Kenyan politics remains far out of reach.
