Jubilee Party has criticised President William Ruto over remarks he made about former President Uhuru Kenyatta, escalating a renewed political dispute between the two former allies.
Ruto, speaking during a church service in Taita Taveta on Sunday, questioned Kenyatta’s recent comments about the 2022 presidential election and accused him of creating confusion through his public statements.
“You cannot be a leader yet you go to a gathering while drunk. You also tell other leaders not to use drugs yet you are confused,” Ruto said.
He urged political leaders to be responsible in their public conduct, arguing that their words could influence the wider public.
Jubilee Questions Ruto’s Conduct
In a statement issued on Monday, Jubilee Secretary-General Moitalel Ole Kenta criticised the President for raising political issues while speaking from a church setting.
The party said leaders who call for responsible political conduct should also be held to the same standard.
Jubilee accused the administration of failing to address economic difficulties and other challenges facing the country. It also called on Ruto to focus on his responsibilities as President rather than engage in what it described as political score-settling.
The party’s remarks echoed its earlier criticism of the government, while similar reports from Kenyan media described the statement as an escalation in the dispute between Ruto and Kenyatta.
Uhuru Reopens 2022 Election Debate
The latest exchange follows comments by Kenyatta at a Jubilee Party National Executive Committee meeting in Nairobi on September 22.
Kenyatta said he remained convinced that the late Raila Odinga had won the 2022 presidential election.
“Tulifanya kila kitu kumsaidia Baba awe Rais wa Jamhuri yetu ya Kenya. Na kura akapata, na mimi mpaka wa leo najua ya kwamba yeye ndiye alishinda hiyo kura,” Kenyatta said.
His remarks reopened debate over an election whose official results declared Ruto the winner.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Ruto received 7,176,141 votes, or 50.49 per cent, while Odinga received 6,942,930 votes, or 48.85 per cent. The Supreme Court subsequently upheld the presidential election results.
Ruto and Uhuru Trade Political Accusations
Ruto has continued to link opposition political activity to Kenyatta, while Kenyatta has pushed back against suggestions that his administration should bear responsibility for the current government’s difficulties.
The ruling United Democratic Alliance has also rejected Kenyatta’s account of the 2022 election and defended Ruto’s victory.
The renewed exchange comes as Kenya’s political parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election, putting the relationship between Ruto and his former political ally back at the centre of national debate.
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