Ruku Tells Uhuru to Keep Off Politics as Mt Kenya Tensions Escalate
Politics Updated: 03 May 2026 18:50 EAT
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku
Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku has sharply criticised former President Uhuru Kenyatta, urging him to keep off active politics and instead support the current administration led by William Ruto. The remarks signal escalating tensions between allies of the government and the retired Head of State.
Speaking during a public event in Njoro, Ruku accused Uhuru of making remarks that risk undermining national unity and the authority of the presidency. He framed his criticism as part of a broader appeal for respect between current and former leaders.
The Cabinet Secretary argued that Kenya’s political stability depends on cooperation among leaders, particularly those who have previously held high office. He warned that public criticism from retired presidents could embolden divisions within the country.
Ruku’s remarks come at a time when political alignments are beginning to take shape ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Mt Kenya emerging as a key battleground for influence between rival factions.
"Katika mlima huu, hakuna mtu yeyote ambaye atatutisha akisema ati yeye ni mtoto wa Mau Mau. Na ndio maana ile damu ambayo ilimwagika, mababu zetu walimwaga ndio Jomo Kenyatta akakuwa Rais wa taifa letu la Kenya. Mwai Kibaki akakuwa Rais wetu wa taifa la Kenya. Uhuru Kenyatta akakuwa Rais wetu wa taifa la Kenya kufuatia ile damu ambayo ilimwagika."
The CS used historical references to emphasise the role of the Mt Kenya region in shaping Kenya’s leadership, noting that past presidents emerged from sacrifices made during the struggle for independence.
"Nataka tuelewane jameni. Nataka tusikizane. Nataka tuelimishane mtu asije akakuja huku kusema maneno ambayo haeleweki. Ndio maana huyu ambaye anadanganya watu pia akakuwa Naibu wa Rais wa Kenya. Na kwa sasa, kufuatia damu ambayo ilimwagika na wale majenerali wa kutoka Meru, kutoka Embu, kutoka Kirinyaga ndio maana Profesa Kithure Kindiki ndio Naibu wa Rais katika taifa letu la Kenya."
Ruku also touched on the current leadership structure, highlighting the appointment of Kithure Kindiki as a reflection of regional representation within government.
"Hiyo damu ambayo mababu zetu walimwaga wakipigania uhuru wa taifa letu la Kenya, ndio maana Wakikuyu wamekuwa Marais na Manaibu wa Rais. Na ndio maana kwa sasa, Mutharaka amepata nafasi ya kuwa Naibu wa Rais katika taifa letu la Kenya. Na haitawezekana ati wakati Mumeru amekuwa Naibu wa Rais ndio tunaambiwa tutoke ndani ya serikali. Haitawezekana! Lazima tuambiwe kama Gikuyu, Embu, na Meru ni kitu kimoja. Lazima tuambiwe kama walishikana."
The Cabinet Secretary stressed the need for unity among communities in the Mt Kenya region, warning against narratives that could divide the bloc along ethnic lines.
"Gikuyu, Meru, na Embu na hao ndio watoto wa mlima huu wetu wa Kenya. Haitawezekana ati wewe wakati uko kwa serikali, serikali imekuwa mbaya wakati mtoto mwingine wa Mau Mau amekalia hiyo kiti. Mnasema ati serikali ni mbaya? Haitawezekana! Na kama ni hiyo njia, tutapasua huu mlima mara mbili. Yes! Nataka niseme hivyo. Nikuwe hapa Njoro once and for all. Tusaseme hivyo sawasawa mpaka ile wakati tutasikizana na tukue kitu kimoja."
His remarks underscored concerns about emerging political rifts within the region, with leaders increasingly taking firm positions as competition for influence intensifies.
"Taifa letu la Kenya linasimama imara. Na tumeona na tumesoma, tumeenda shule. Tumesoma sawasawa tunajua mataifa ya Afrika ambayo yamekuwa na mizozo ya vita, ambayo uchumi wake umeharibika wakati viongozi wakuu wameanza kupigana."
Ruku cautioned against leadership conflicts, pointing to examples from across Africa where political disputes have led to instability and economic decline.
"Mimi nimesikia jana mheshimiwa kiongozi ambaye tulimpenda tukampatia nafasi ya kuwa Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kenya, Mheshimiwa Uhuru Kenyatta, jana anakashifu serikali ya Mheshimiwa William Ruto. Jameni namuomba kwa heshima Mheshimiwa Uhuru Kenyatta: wewe tulikupatia nafasi ya kuwa kiongozi wetu wa taifa kwa miaka kumi. Jambo la ustaarabu ni kama ile Moi na Kibaki walifanya wakati walikuwa wamestaafu. Kazi yao ilikuwa kusaidia Rais yule ambaye alikuwa katika kiti."
He directly appealed to Uhuru to emulate past retired presidents such as the late Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki, who largely kept a low political profile after leaving office.
"Sisi tunatarajia wewe kama Rais mstaafu utoe ushauri na kusaidia upande uliopo wa serikali kwa sababu kiti hiki ni cha Wakenya wote. Kenya ikienda vibaya jameni tutaumia sote. Hakuna ambaye ako na nchi ya ziada ambayo inaitwa Kenya."
The CS maintained that national interest should take precedence over political rivalry, urging collective responsibility among leaders.
Despite the criticism, Uhuru has previously defended his right to participate in politics, insisting that retirement from office does not bar him from engaging in national discourse or supporting his political allies.
The former president has also argued that democracy thrives when leaders are allowed to express differing opinions, even after leaving power, a stance that has put him at odds with sections of the current administration.
"Niseme kama Waziri wa Utumishi wa Umma, vijana jameni tujitokeze kwa wingi. Tuchukue vitambulisho na nataka kutoa maagizo na onyo kali kwa watumishi wote wa umma ambao wanafanya kazi katika Idara ya Kitaifa ya Usajili (National Registration Bureau) inayotoa vitambulisho. Mkenya yeyote akija kuchukua kitambulisho, apatiwe kitambulisho chake na asititishwe au kuombwa hongo yoyote."
Beyond politics, Ruku used the platform to address governance issues, particularly the need to improve service delivery in public offices.
"Hivyo sivyo serikali ya Mheshimiwa William Ruto imejipanga. Na mimi kama Waziri wa Utumishi wa Umma, jukumu langu la kwanza ni kuhakikisha ya kwamba wananchi wa Kenya wanapata huduma iliyo ya kiwango cha juu (grade one). Huduma bora kwa wateja (excellence customer service), hiyo ndiyo kawaida ya serikali hii."
He reiterated the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring efficient public service, warning civil servants against soliciting bribes.
The unfolding exchange between Ruku and Uhuru highlights a widening political divide that has persisted since the fallout between Uhuru and Ruto ahead of the 2022 General Election.
As the country edges closer to another election cycle, such public confrontations are expected to intensify, particularly in politically influential regions like Mt Kenya.
Analysts say the growing rift reflects a broader struggle for control of the region’s voting bloc, which remains critical in determining the outcome of national elections.
For now, the debate over the role of retired presidents in active politics continues to dominate Kenya’s political discourse, raising questions about leadership, legacy, and the boundaries of post-presidential engagement.
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FELIX MAKONA
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