President William Ruto’s reported private talks with his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, have sent ripples through Kenya’s political circles, signaling what could be a significant shift in the country’s power dynamics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The discussions, which began with a low-profile visit by Ruto to Uhuru’s rural home in Ichaweri, Gatundu South, in December 2024, are seen as an attempt to de-escalate mounting political tensions, particularly in the Mt. Kenya region.
The once-strong alliance between the two leaders collapsed during their second term in government, culminating in Kenyatta endorsing opposition chief Raila Odinga in the hotly contested 2022 election. Ruto eventually won, but their fallout only deepened in the aftermath.
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Since assuming office, Ruto’s administration has taken actions that many interpreted as retribution against the Kenyatta family, including the withdrawal of security from Mama Ngina Kenyatta and a police raid on Uhuru’s son’s home.
These developments worsened the rift between the two leaders, fueling speculation that reconciliation was unlikely. However, the December meeting, described by insiders as a political “handshake,” appears to have opened a new chapter.
This renewed engagement comes amid growing unrest in Mt. Kenya, a region that played a pivotal role in delivering Ruto’s 2022 victory. The impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in October 2024 was a particularly destabilizing moment for the region, where many viewed it as betrayal.
Coupled with rising living costs, unpopular tax policies, and perceptions of regional exclusion, the region’s discontent has been simmering, if not boiling.
Ruto’s overtures to Kenyatta are widely seen as a calculated attempt to rebuild bridges and calm growing rebellion among Central Kenya leaders.
Some Members of Parliament have already expressed dissent over Kenya Kwanza policies, including the controversial Finance Bill 2024, while others have started drifting closer to Gachagua, who remains popular despite his ouster.
In a bid to regain control, the president has already appointed three of Kenyatta’s political allies—Mutahi Kagwe, Lee Kinyanjui, and William Kabogo—into key cabinet roles, signaling an olive branch to both the former president and the region.
However, analysts have noted that the lack of a joint communiqué following the Ichaweri meeting speaks volumes.
While Ruto’s camp described the encounter as positive and strategic, Kenyatta emphasized issues of national accountability and transparency, hinting at lingering mistrust.
Despite maintaining a relatively low public profile since 2022, Kenyatta remains influential in Mt. Kenya. Many voters in the region have begun to revisit his 2022 warnings against supporting Ruto, adding to his renewed relevance. His potential to act as a kingmaker or power broker in 2027 cannot be ignored.
Reports suggest that Kenyatta is playing his cards carefully. His meetings with political figures, his rumored support for alternative presidential hopefuls such as Fred Matiang’i, and his subtle encouragement of youth-led protests have positioned him as both a critic of Ruto and a guardian of the country’s democratic space.
Whether this role will evolve into full-fledged opposition or cautious cooperation remains unclear.
Critics, however, argue that Ruto’s recent charm offensive, including outreach to Raila Odinga’s allies and the latest engagement with Uhuru, is less about unity and more about political survival.
With 2027 drawing near, some observers believe the president is stitching together a new coalition to insulate himself from growing public anger over economic hardship and perceptions of authoritarianism.
At the same time, Kenya’s youth, particularly the Gen Z generation that led mass protests in 2024 and 2025, present a new challenge to traditional politics.
Their frustration with the status quo, including unemployment, high taxes, and police brutality, has birthed a movement that neither Ruto nor Uhuru can fully control. Their disdain for elite political deals has raised questions about the long-term effectiveness of such reconciliations.
While Ruto may hope that Uhuru can help quell tensions in Central Kenya and pull disaffected leaders back into the fold, the success of that strategy remains uncertain.
Kenyatta, for his part, appears willing to listen but not yet ready to embrace. Whether these secret talks will lead to a full political realignment or merely serve as a temporary truce remains to be seen.
In the complex dance of Kenyan politics, the Ruto–Uhuru talks could reshape alliances, calm restive regions, or backfire if perceived as insincere. One thing is clear—what happens next between these two powerful figures will have lasting implications for 2027 and beyond.