NAIROBI — Party of Liberation and Prosperity leader Martha Karua has accused President William Ruto of exploiting former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent State House appearance to create a false image of political unity. Martha Karua made the remarks during a broadcast interview on Monday, August 4, following public debate over Uhuru’s participation in an international peace led meeting held at State House on August 1.
“Uhuru should be given his respect like a former Head of State,” Karua said. “Dragging him into daily political games is not only misleading but also disrespectful.” The former justice minister criticized attempts by Ruto and his allies to frame Uhuru’s attendance as a sign of reconciliation or an endorsement of the current administration. She argued that the move was calculated to influence public perception ahead of the 2027 general election.
“I saw Ruto attaching himself to Uhuru so that Kenyans can view that he and Uhuru are together,” Karua stated. “That’s not honest. It’s an attempt to manipulate how people see things.”
Karua emphasized that the opposition has not been seeking to involve the former president in active politics. “We would not use him as a shield in any political war,” she said. “He deserves peace after serving the country.”
According to Karua, the presidency is an institution that must be handled with dignity, even after a leader exits office. “When someone retires, they should be left to enjoy that retirement,” she added. “The problem begins when current leaders try to twist their image for personal gain.”
Her criticism follows comments from Ruto allies, who used images from the August 1 event to signal a supposed alignment between the current and former presidents. The visual was widely circulated online, with suggestions that Uhuru’s presence confirmed political harmony and possibly a renewed alliance.
Karua dismissed that suggestion as political theater. “Using retired presidents for political tricks only shows weakness,” she said. “Ruto is desperate to control public opinion because he has seen his government falling like a pack of cards.”
She warned that turning former leaders into political symbols risks setting a bad precedent. “We must protect the dignity of that office,” she said.
Uhuru Kenyatta, who left office in 2022 after completing two terms, has largely remained silent on matters of succession politics. He has made limited public appearances, focusing on regional peace work and personal engagements.
Karua’s comments add to the growing criticism over how State House events are being used to signal political narratives. With the 2027 election campaigns already taking shape, the use of political imagery and perceived endorsements is likely to remain under scrutiny.
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