Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura ramped up the pressure on former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday, urging him to step aside and grant President William Ruto the room to govern. Mwaura argued that retired heads of state serve the country best by stepping back and allowing the sitting administration to carry out its mandate without interference.
He highlighted the importance of national stability, suggesting that former leaders should transition into roles as mentors rather than active political players. To illustrate his point, Mwaura looked across the Atlantic, citing the legacy of former US President Jimmy Carter as a model for post-presidency life.
“If a president is retired, it is good he leaves those in office to do their work as required so that we can have peace and unity. If something arises, there should be proper communication to address it,” he said.
Mwaura noted that Carter’s long and respected life resulted from his focus on humanitarian and community service after leaving the White House. He suggested that such a path allows a retired leader to remain a pillar of the community without clashing with their successors.
“Even in America, when a President leaves office, they retire to go and do other things. Today, I was thinking about former US President Jimmy Carter, when he left office, he went to do community work and helping people. He lived a very long life. That is what should happen for you to be a good mentor within the community.”
Mwaura insisted that any necessary dialogue between the former and current administrations must flow through official, established channels. He warned that bypassing these protocols risks undermining governance and eroding national cohesion.
The relentless criticism of Uhuru Kenyatta’s political activity triggered a sharp rebuttal from his party, Jubilee. Led by Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i, whom Uhuru has notably endorsed for the 2027 presidency, the former ruling party accused government officials of degrading public discourse. Matiang’i argued that these coordinated attacks serve only to distract the public from urgent national crises.
The former Cabinet Secretary, who steered the Interior and Education ministries during Uhuru’s tenure, expressed disbelief at the tone of the current administration’s rhetoric.
“You hope that in a serious country like ours, there are things you do not need to spend time on. The kind of pettiness we have seen this weekend and primitiveness in addressing a retired president is shocking,” he said.
Matiang’i stood firmly behind his former boss, reminding critics that the Constitution protects the freedom of speech for every citizen, regardless of their former rank. He dismissed the idea that a retired leader must remain silent, pointing to global democracies as a standard for political engagement.
“In Nigeria, in the US, and in the UK, former presidents and prime ministers speak, campaign, and attend public forums, and the world does not come to an end,” he said.
The Jubilee Party deputy leader argued that government officials grew uneasy after Uhuru Kenyatta publicly addressed a gathering of party supporters via a phone call in Narok last Friday. He questioned why the current administration would dedicate an entire weekend to criticizing a former leader instead of focusing on governing the country.
“A retired president makes one phone call, and the government screams the whole weekend. What kind of people are these? You have a country to run, a government to run, yet all your time is spent insulting a retired president.”
Matiang’i dismissed the attacks as a sign of desperation from the William Ruto administration. He suggested that the government is lashing out at its predecessors to mask its own internal struggles, including reports of its own party members distancing themselves from the ticket.
“On a weekend when your own party members are announcing they will not defend their seats on your ticket, when it is clear to the world you are a sinking ship, you choose to insult your predecessors,” he said.
Jubilee Party Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta echoed these sentiments, telling the UDA to stop blaming others for its challenges. He maintained that Uhuru’s retirement benefits are a legal right, not a reward subject to political whims.
“We are particularly concerned, and indeed alarmed, by reckless statements from certain political actors threatening punitive action against the former president, including the suggestion that his retirement benefits could be withdrawn. Retirement benefits for former presidents are not political favors to be granted or withdrawn at will. They are legal entitlements grounded in law, designed to preserve the dignity of the office and to ensure continuity and stability within our system of governance.”
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei had moved forward on Monday by filing a motion in the Senate to cut or eliminate Uhuru Kenyatta’s retirement package. The motion seeks to give Parliament the authority to overhaul the budget for the former president’s perks, proposing that any saved funds be spent on public welfare.
“…. the House recommends that any funds recovered from benefits previously accorded to the retired President shall be redirected to serve the interests and welfare of the people of Kenya,” the motion reads in part.
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