“That Is Not Statesmanship”: UDA Fires Back at Uhuru Kenyatta, Defends President Ruto’s Record

By Gedion Nzyoki -

• The ruling UDA party has strongly defended President William Ruto’s administration while issuing a sharp critique of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure and recent political remarks.
• In an open letter, UDA highlighted government reforms and ongoing development projects, arguing that the current administration is addressing economic and infrastructure challenges inherited from the past.
• The exchange reflects escalating political tensions between the two leaders, following renewed criticism over the country’s economic situation, particularly fuel prices and the cost of living.

Nairobi, Kenya | May 26, 2026 — The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has launched a sharp attack on former President Uhuru Kenyatta through an open letter accusing him of bitterness, political sabotage, and presiding over what it described as one of the most troubled administrations in Kenya’s modern history.

A Photo collage showing UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan(left) and former President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta (right). Photo: Courtesy.

In a lengthy statement titled “An Open Letter to President Kenyatta: Let Us Stop the Pretence,” posted on its Facebook page on Tuesday evening, the party accused the former Head of State of undermining the current administration while failing to acknowledge what it termed progress made under President William Ruto’s leadership.

“You were President for 10 years, and like every administration, yours had successes alongside monumental and gigantic failures that make your tenure incomparable not only to preceding administrations but also to the first three years of the current administration. In many respects, you handed over one of the most broken governments in Kenya’s modern history,” a section of the letter read.

The party argued that President Ruto assumed office at a time when the country was facing severe economic challenges, including high public debt, rising inflation, weakened state institutions, and instability in key sectors of the economy. 

It further stated that the current administration has since managed to stabilise the economy, rebuild investor confidence, and roll out reforms aimed at strengthening sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, housing, and education.

“You claim to have handed over power peacefully to William Ruto. Of course, you did. You had no option. That is the beauty and finality of our constitutional democracy. But you handed over a collapsing economy, a suffocating public debt burden, broken institutions, demoralised sectors, and a country on the brink,” the letter added.

UDA also defended the government’s healthcare reforms, noting that the transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA) was intended to expand access to healthcare and improve service delivery for millions of Kenyans.

On education, the party said the administration had streamlined the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) system, recruited thousands of teachers to address staffing gaps, and introduced funding reforms aimed at easing financial pressure on public universities and strengthening the sector.

The ruling party further accused the former President of failing to fully deliver on the Affordable Housing Programme, saying that while it was launched during his tenure, implementation later slowed amid political and public opposition.

In contrast, UDA said President Ruto has prioritised the initiative and expanded it into a nationwide programme despite facing court battles, criticism, and political resistance. 

The party said the project has since become one of the government’s flagship development agendas, with thousands of housing units currently under construction across the country.

“Mr Kenyatta, you abandoned affordable housing out of cowardice, indecision, and political fear. You launched it for headlines, then ran away the moment resistance emerged. President Ruto, too, faced resistance, rejection, court battles, ridicule, and relentless political attacks over the same project, but the difference is clear: where you retreated, he advanced; where you hesitated, he acted decisively,” the letter stated.

The party also said the initiative has created substantial employment opportunities and supported the growth of new urban centres, alongside related infrastructure such as markets and student accommodation facilities.

UDA further cited several ongoing infrastructure projects as evidence of what it described as accelerated development under the current administration, including the Mau Summit Road, the planned expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Talanta City, and various stadium projects across the country. 

The party said these projects reflect renewed focus on completing long-delayed developments and strengthening national infrastructure.

The ruling party also defended President Ruto’s handling of energy and fuel-related challenges, stating that the administration is prioritising long-term energy security through investments in renewable energy, electric mobility, regional refinery initiatives, and the development of local oil resources.

UDA further accused the former President of contributing to political hostility against the government and mobilising opposition against the Kenya Kwanza administration instead of supporting constructive engagement as a retired Head of State.

On the Mau Summit Road project, the party claimed that the initiative had experienced prolonged delays under the previous administration due to bureaucratic hurdles and stalled decision-making, which slowed its implementation for years. It added that the current government has since resolved the bottlenecks and restarted construction, with visible progress on the ground.

The party also accused Kenyatta of engaging in political rhetoric that risks influencing young people against the government and deepening public dissatisfaction. 

It argued that such conduct falls short of what is expected from a former Head of State, who should instead promote unity, stability, and constructive national dialogue.

“Such actions do not reflect statesmanship; they reflect ego and political impunity,” the statement added.

UDA further stated that true statesmanship requires leaders to rise above personal grievances and focus on the country’s long-term interests rather than engaging in sustained criticism of the current administration.

“You are increasingly inciting young people against the government, exploiting their frustrations and emotions not to build the country but to advance your political bitterness and vendetta. Mr Kenyatta, that is not statesmanship; it is ego and political impunity,” the party added.

It also faulted Kenyatta for what it termed a lack of constructive alternatives in his public engagements, insisting that former leaders should contribute ideas and guidance that support national development.

The letter came hours after remarks by the retired President on Monday at the iconic Kiambu Gold Club during the Jubilee Party delegates convention, where he criticised President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration over high fuel prices. 

The former Head of State accused the government of engaging in rhetoric and blame games instead of addressing the fuel crisis, noting that many Kenyans are struggling with the rising cost of living driven by increased fuel prices.

The latest exchange highlights the deepening political rift between Kenyatta and Ruto, who governed together for nearly a decade before their alliance collapsed ahead of the 2022 General Election.