Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has criticized President William Ruto’s administration over the rising cost of living and escalating fuel prices, warning that public frustration is reaching a tipping point.
Speaking on Monday at the Jubilee Delegates Meeting in Kiambu, Uhuru said Kenyans are grappling with economic pressure that has little to do with tribal or political divisions. He urged leaders to abandon blame-shifting and concentrate on policy measures that ease the burden on households.
Uhuru told delegates that the immediate priority should be practical action on fuel costs and inflation.
“Address the fuel issue, do not talk about tribalism. Arguments and hatred will not help us. Kenyans will not eat words. Kenyans are angry because of the high cost of living. They are crying out over soaring fuel prices,” he said.
He added that leaders should engage directly with public concerns rather than deflect responsibility. “Listen to Kenyans instead of shifting blame. If you need help, call us and together we will find solutions for the people of Kenya.”
The former president pushed back against attempts to involve him in current debates on the fuel crisis. He argued that responsibility now rests with those in office and that governance requires forward-looking decisions.
“You do not need to be very smart to know where the problem is. Asking why people did not do certain things when they were in office is not the way to go. Everything has its time. We left, and you are in charge now. We tried and did what we could to our level best; it is your turn to deal with the issue.”
Uhuru emphasized that the anger among citizens stems from economic strain rather than ethnic or partisan disputes. He cautioned that divisive rhetoric would not resolve the underlying challenges facing the economy.
“When you start blaming people and try to divide them, how does that help this country move forward? The issues affecting Kenyans have no tribe, race, or religion; they affect all of us. People are complaining because life is becoming unbearable. That is the problem; address it.”
He also raised concerns about what he described as a resurgence of ethnic mobilization in political discourse. Uhuru said leaders have a duty to condemn such remarks when they are made publicly, particularly when senior officials are present.
“We have started seeing others spreading divisive ethnic politics. They do not have shame while saying these things. They are making the remarks in front of leaders of our country, and nobody tries to stop them.”
Addressing residents of Kiambu, he urged voters to assess candidates carefully ahead of the 2027 general elections. He linked current political messaging to past campaign themes that he said delivered little tangible benefit.
“What did the hustler versus dynasty politics bring you? Now they want to bring in the tribal politics. What else will it cause apart from problems?”
Uhuru reminded the audience of his warnings during the 2022 election cycle regarding the direction of the country’s politics and economic policy.
“I warned you in 2022, but you didn’t listen. Now you are crying.”
He advised voters to accept handouts offered during campaigns but to base their final decision on policy and track record. “When they come to your areas, kindly take the money, but when the election comes, vote wisely.”
The former president warned against any form of tribal incitement, drawing a link to Kenya’s post-election violence in 2007. He called on government and security officials to prevent the normalization of divisive speech.
“No one should appear to intimidate other tribes. People from these communities are Kenyans. Do not incite and divide Kenyans along tribal lines. We have started seeing leaders shamelessly engaging in tribal politics, and they do this in broad daylight in front of national leaders.”
He concluded by urging political leaders to compete on policy platforms rather than identity-based appeals. “As a nation, we must speak the truth because we do not want to make mistakes we have made before. Leaders should sell their manifestos and agendas for the country.”
