Former president Uhuru Kenyatta has launched one of his toughest attacks yet against president William Ruto’s administration, accusing the government of failing to address the rising cost of living and warning Kenyans against repeating what he termed the political mistake of 2022.
Speaking on Monday during a Jubilee Party delegates meeting at Kiambu Golf Club, Uhuru said the country was facing serious economic pressure, including soaring fuel prices and the general rise in the cost of basic commodities. The meeting brought together Jubilee delegates and senior party officials, with the former Head of State using the platform to sharply criticize the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“I warned you in 2022, but you didn’t listen,” Uhuru told the gathering, in remarks aimed at Kenyans who backed Ruto in the last general election.
The former President said many Kenyans were now feeling the consequences of the political choices they made, arguing that the government had shifted focus from solving economic problems to blame games and divisive politics.
“Kenyans will not eat words,” he said, accusing leaders in government of avoiding the real issues affecting citizens.
Uhuru said the administration should focus on easing the burden on households instead of dragging his name into current economic challenges. He insisted that his administration had served its term and that those currently in office must now take responsibility.
“We left, and you are in charge now,” he said, adding that every administration must deal with the problems facing the country during its own time.
The Jubilee leader also took issue with what he described as attempts to divide Kenyans along ethnic lines, warning that such rhetoric was dangerous ahead of the 2027 elections. He said the high cost of living affects Kenyans across communities, regions and religions, and should not be reduced to tribal politics.
According to Uhuru, the government should listen to citizens who are complaining about fuel prices, food prices and the pressure on families, instead of framing criticism as political or ethnic hostility.
He further urged voters to be more careful when leaders return to campaign in their regions, telling them not to be swayed by handouts.
“When they come to your areas, kindly take the money,” he said, before urging Kenyans to “vote wisely” when elections come.
Uhuru also warned against a return to the politics that contributed to past national crises, saying Kenya must not allow irresponsible ethnic mobilisation to take root again.
He said leaders should sell their agenda and manifesto instead of inciting communities against one another.
The remarks come at a time when the Ruto administration is facing renewed public pressure over fuel prices, taxation, cost of living and political tensions ahead of the 2027 succession contest.
Jubilee officials had earlier billed the Kiambu meeting as a major county delegates’ engagement expected to address national issues and strengthen the party’s political positioning.
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