Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has joked that his life has become “too dangerous”, saying he is now being more careful about making spontaneous remarks in public.
Speaking on Friday, September 18, during a burial ceremony in Gikuu, Kiharu Sub-County, Uhuru said he had opted to restrict his off-the-cuff comments to prevent his words from being misinterpreted.
The retired President appeared to take a swipe at President William Ruto and his allies over their repeated description of him as a “sponsor” of opposition activities.
“And usually I speak off-cuff, and these days life is becoming too dangerous for me. So I have decided before the media goes to misinterpret my words. Thanks so much, that is all from the sponsor,” Uhuru said.
Here is the video:
His remarks came a day after Ruto renewed his criticism of his predecessor during a rally in Sindo, Homa Bay County, on Thursday, September 17.
Ruto accused Uhuru of financially backing opposition politicians, including Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, while blaming his former political ally for allegedly damaging Kenya's economy during his administration.
“They are clueless because they have only been sent by their sponsor, who is bitter seeing us succeed where he failed. We have fixed the economy he destroyed,” Ruto said.
The President also revisited his political relationship with Uhuru, claiming that he stood by the former President during four election campaigns and expected similar support when he eventually sought the presidency.
“As I stand here in Sindo, Homa Bay County, I want to urge the former President Uhuru Kenyatta. I was there for you when you needed someone to stand with you in four elections,” Ruto said.
“I stood with you, helped you, and worked for you. When time came for you to help me, you did not go as we had agreed. We had agreed 10 for you and 10 for me, but you did not keep the promise.”
Ruto was referring to an alleged political understanding between the two leaders in which they would back each other's presidential ambitions, with each serving two terms.
The President, however, said he did not blame Uhuru for declining to support his presidential bid, noting that his predecessor had a democratic right to make his own political choice.
