By Anderson Ojwang
In Narok on Friday, a political earthquake rattled the nation. A telephone call set off a beehive and a chain of activities.
For the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), it sent shivers down the spine over what was a direct affront by the immediate former President Uhuru Kenyatta to his successor President William Ruto.
Mr Uhuru’s telephone call to Jubilee members during the homecoming ceremony of the party’s Secretary General, Mr Richard Moitalel Ole Kenta, was a thunderbolt and set the tone for the new political dispensation.
The telephone call from Uhuru, through his younger brother Muhoho Kenyatta’s phone, sent UDA scrambling back to the drawing board, with a barrage of attacks on the former president and even a proposal for a bill to cut down his retirement packages.
Uhuru’s telephone call expressed concern over the interference of the president in other parties’ affairs, the stifling of democracy, and gagging.
“Ni masikitiko kuona wengine, badala ya kuuza vyama zao na sera zao, kazi yao ni kuingilia mipangilio ya vyama vingine (I am shocked when I see other people instead of going out to sell their policies and their party to the people. Their only objective is to come and interfere with the running and affairs of other parties),” he said amid cheers.
He said the party leaders are known and will not allow any form of interference.
“We want to tell them, we know our party leaders – Dr Fred Matiang’i, Kenta and others. Those claiming leadership are busybodies. Let them go away and sell their merchandise elsewhere and not in the Jubilee Party,” he said.
Recently, the Jubilee Party put out a gazette notice over the proposed changes it made to the party leadership, but former Nyeri Town Member of Parliament (MP) Ngunjiri Wambugu formally objected to the proposed changes to the party’s officials, warning that the process is unlawful and unconstitutional.
In a detailed letter dated April 20, 2026, addressed to the Registrar of Political Parties, Wambugu challenged Gazette Notice No. 5749 of April 17, 2026, which invited public submissions on intended changes to Jubilee Party officials.
In his letter, Wambugu asked the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties to suspend or decline registration of the proposed changes until key legal and constitutional questions are resolved.
“I am a registered member of the Jubilee Party (Membership No. JP1116789), a former Member of Parliament elected under the Jubilee Party (2017–2022), and currently an aspirant intending to contest in the 2027 General Election on the Jubilee Party ticket. I therefore have a direct, legitimate and protectable interest in the lawful governance, constitutional integrity, and internal democratic processes of the Party,” Wambugu’s letter read in part.
He argued that he has a direct interest in the party’s governance because he intends to seek election in the 2027 General Election under the Jubilee Party banner.
At the centre of his objection is what he described as a failure by the party to demonstrate who currently holds lawful decision-making authority within Jubilee.
Uhuru thanked the Maa community for supporting him and said he was supporting their son Kenta to run the party.
“The way you supported me, now I am supporting your son to lead the party and take it and the country ahead. He should not be scared of anyone. Are we in agreement, my people?” he said.
Multipartyism
Uhuru said Kenyans lost lives and property fighting for democracy and multipartyism, and nobody should be allowed to stifle it.
“I want to say, we as Kenyans as a nation, we respect democracy. We want democracy. So many people lost their lives and properties fighting for democracy and multipartyism in this country. I am shocked to see others, instead of selling their policies and their party, their work now is to interfere with other parties,” he said.
Uhuru warned against any form of interference in the Jubilee Party and other political parties aimed at returning the country to a single-party system.
“Let them allow us to sell our policies as Jubilee with no interference at all every time. We have seen how these people are trying to destroy other parties. It is not only Jubilee but all other political parties. They want others to fold. That is not in line with the constitution on multipartyism,” he said.
Gagging
Uhuru wondered why there have been attempts to gag him from speaking, yet it was his democratic right.
He said former president the late Mwai Kibaki did not gag the late Mzee Daniel Moi during the 2005 Wako draft constitutional referendum.
“I remember when I was in Kanu with the late Mzee Daniel Arap Moi, we worked and we campaigned for Orange, and he was never threatened by then president the late Mwai Kibaki. He could travel and campaign with us to educate and sensitize the public on why the draft constitution was bad. When Bonaya Godana and others died, Mzee Moi joined us in Marsabit to campaign, and Kanu won the election against Narc, and there was no problem,” he said.
Uhuru said he was not active in politics but will defend his party, Jubilee, whenever it comes under threat.
“For me now, when I say one or two words, I am told that I am retired and should go back home. Why didn’t they tell Moi that he was retired and that he should go home? I want to say I am not in active politics, but I have the right to protect and defend my party, Jubilee. I am not looking for any seat, but I am a member of Jubilee,” he said.
UDA reacts
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot criticized Uhuru’s recent conduct, urging him to emulate former leaders who maintained a low profile after leaving office.
“The late President Daniel Arap Moi retired quietly, and President Mwai Kibaki also respected the office in his retirement. That is the standard expected,” he said.
Similarly, Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku called on Uhuru to refrain from criticizing the current administration, questioning whether the former president was reciprocating the respect he received while in office.
“When Uhuru was president, Ruto respected him fully as Head of State. Why can that respect not be returned?” he said.
But in a quick rejoinder, Ole Kenta asked Ruto to engage directly with his predecessor if there were grievances concerning his recent public engagements.
“I would like to challenge President William Ruto to come out himself and address this issue instead of relying on intermediaries,” Ole Kenta said during a press conference. “If he has any concerns about Uhuru’s activities, let him address them openly and directly.”
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya laughed off the attack, wondering why some leaders were being gagged from talking about important issues.
“Why are these people scared when Uhuru talks? Will we stop Ruto from talking when he retires?” he said.
