Ruto in Eldoret: Uhuru is funding my opponents — Gachagua and Jubilee fire back
Key points
- In Eldoret on Thursday, President Ruto accused Uhuru Kenyatta of failing on affordable housing and universal health cover and of sending “vibaraka” against him for 2027.
- Allies tie Uhuru to Linda Mwananchi and to Jubilee’s Fred Matiang’i. Uhuru cannot run again.
- Friday replies: Gachagua (own-goal, face me); Jubilee SG Moitalel Ole Kenta (stop campaigning against a 2022 retiree); Sifuna (encouragement, not cash, 28 July TV); senators Methu and Nyutu; Kalonzo (Uhuru should sit this out).
In Eldoret on Thursday President William Ruto turned his Rift backyard on his predecessor. He said Uhuru Kenyatta had failed on affordable housing, universal health coverage and school fees and was now “kupanga vibaraka” to fight him, Eastleigh Voice reported.
Uhuru is term-barred. Ruto’s camp still treats him as a 2022 rematch — the year Ruto beat the Uhuru-backed Raila ticket — and as a wallet behind Linda Mwananchi and Jubilee’s Fred Matiang’i. “Hawa watu nitawaosha asubuhi na mapema.” Friday the replies landed. In Nakuru, Rigathi Gachagua said the government’s wounds are self-inflicted and called himself the man to remove Ruto. Jubilee secretary-general Moitalel Ole Kenta said a full-term government cannot keep campaigning against a man who left in 2022. Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna, on Citizen TV’s The Explainer on 28 July, said Uhuru encourages youth and does not fund the movement. Nyandarua’s John Methu and Murang’a’s Joe Nyutu told Ruto to leave Uhuru and face Gachagua. In Kakuyuni, Kalonzo Musyoka said he had advised Uhuru to stand aside: “kaa kando, wacha Kalonzo afanye mundu ku mundu na huyu Ruto.” Commentator Daniel Omari said Ruto’s camp would not swing if Uhuru’s money and crowds were meaningless.
A sponsor story needs a ledger
Without a named transfer, “financing the Opposition” is a rally line. 2027 will be counted against Gachagua, Sifuna, Kalonzo and Matiang’i — not against a retiree’s silence.
Politics desk: Politics. Verified Eldoret Thursday quotes and Friday replies from Eastleigh Voice.
Jubilee should publish whether it is formally behind Matiang’i. Linda Mwananchi should keep its funding statement on one page.
Voters should treat “vibaraka” as campaign colour until IEBC nomination lists exist.
Readers should cross-check any deadline, fee, court date or programme claim against primary gazettes, agency circulars and court records before acting on this report.
Official gazettes, court rulings and agency circulars may update these facts after publication; readers should verify any deadline, fee or court date against primary sources before acting.
Based on Eastleigh Voice reporting of the Eldoret speech and Friday responses. Political claims are not court findings.
