President William Ruto has appeared to hit back at former President Uhuru Kenyatta after the retired Head of State reignited debate over the 2022 presidential election by claiming that the late Raila Odinga won the poll.
Speaking during a church service at the Pentecostal Church in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County, on Sunday, September 27, Ruto called on political leaders to exercise responsibility and caution when making public remarks.
The President urged leaders to remember that their conduct and statements are closely watched by the public, particularly young people who look up to them.
Ruto cautioned politicians against attending important meetings while intoxicated or making statements when they were not in a clear state of mind, warning that such conduct could create unnecessary controversy.
“As leaders, if you are a leader, you are supposed to be a leading example. You cannot be a leader and then go for an important meeting while incoherent, then you tell youths or fellow leaders to have good habits,” Ruto said.
The President further urged leaders to be disciplined and mindful of the messages they send to Kenyans.
“Please, leaders, let us be responsible. You go there confused, then give contradictory remarks that do not make sense. As leaders, let us be people of respect, humble, and know that many other people are spending on us and watching,” he said.
Although Ruto did not directly mention Uhuru by name, his remarks came days after the former President made fresh claims about the outcome of the 2022 presidential election.
Uhuru said he remained convinced that Raila had won the election, reviving a debate that had largely faded from the centre of national political discourse.
The former President made the remarks during a Jubilee Party meeting in Nairobi while explaining his decision to support Raila’s presidential campaign in the 2022 election.
Uhuru said he and other political leaders had done everything possible to support Raila, maintaining that the late opposition leader had secured enough votes to win the presidency.
He also suggested that he was aware of what happened in the period surrounding the announcement of the election results.
The remarks immediately drew criticism from leaders allied to Ruto. UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar rejected Uhuru’s assertion, maintaining that Ruto was the legitimate winner of the 2022 presidential election. Other UDA leaders also questioned why Uhuru had chosen to revisit the election outcome several years after Ruto assumed office.
ODM leader Oburu Oginga separately challenged Uhuru over his position, questioning why the former President handed over power to Ruto if he believed Raila had won the election. Oburu’s remarks further fuelled the renewed political debate surrounding the disputed 2022 contest.
Official results from the August 2022 presidential election showed Ruto receiving 7,176,141 votes against Raila’s 6,942,930 votes.
Raila and other petitioners subsequently challenged the election outcome at the Supreme Court, which upheld Ruto’s election as President.
The renewed debate has nevertheless reopened questions about the events surrounding the 2022 election, with political leaders taking opposing positions on Uhuru’s latest remarks.
Addressing the Mwatate congregation, Ruto maintained that leaders have a responsibility to set an example for the public and guide the next generation of politicians. “Let us help mentor other leaders and citizens by behaving responsibly ourselves,” the President said.
His remarks came as political reactions to Uhuru’s comments continued to emerge, adding a fresh twist to the political debate over the 2022 presidential election.
