Uhuru Should Stop Speaking in Riddles, Speak Clearly About What He Means

Retired leaders in Kenya—Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta—have exhibited different behaviors when it comes to addressing critical national issues.

When Moi stepped down from power in 2002 after leading Kenya for 24 years, he appeared fearless despite threats from politicians of the ruling coalition, the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc), who threatened to investigate and even prosecute him if found guilty.

However, Moi did not hesitate to address national issues whenever he felt things were going awry.

During the campaign for the 2010 Constitution, Moi was among the political leaders who opposed the draft constitution.

Mzee Moi maintained that although he opposed the draft constitution, his reasons were different from those of North Eldoret MP William Ruto (the current President) who also opposed the draft, claiming it would lead to Kenyans losing their land.

Moi did not hesitate to visit churches across the country and express his views on critical national issues.

When Mwai Kibaki retired in 2013, he chose to remain silent. It was difficult for Kenyans to understand whether he supported Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2013 general election where he was competing against ODM leader Raila Odinga. It was rare for Kibaki to be seen in public until he passed away in 2022.

When Uhuru Kenyatta left office in 2022, he initially remained silent like Kibaki, but he was forced to come out and announce that he had not left the political arena when the government threatened to take away his Jubilee party.

Even when thugs invaded his family’s Northlands farm in Ruiru, Kiambu County, Kenyatta remained silent.

Recently, the former President has been emerging and speaking in riddles that have been difficult to decipher.

During a funeral event in the Kipipiri constituency, Nyandarua County, three months ago, Uhuru sparked discussions when he said he felt like crying when he saw how things were being run.

Uhuru also said that Kenyan leaders might lead the country into a ditch due to their tendency to dwell on the past instead of “looking forward.”

However, Uhuru did not reveal what past issues the Kenya First government was pursuing.

A few weeks ago, while speaking during the consecration of two Catholic bishops in Nairobi, Uhuru said that politics is full of traitors but did not mention them—leaving Kenyans scratching their heads trying to identify the traitors.

Leaders of Kenya First had vowed to initiate investigations against Kenyatta and his ministers—perhaps this is why the former President avoids speaking openly without using riddles.

Uhuru should know that even Mzee Moi faced similar threats but was not afraid to express his views on critical national issues.