RUTO HITS BACK AT UHURU OVER RAILA’S 2022 VICTORY CLAIM

President William Ruto has responded to former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s claim that the late Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election, urging political leaders to avoid reopening old divisions.

Speaking in Mwatate, Taita-Taveta County, on Sunday, September 27, Ruto criticised leaders who use public platforms to make what he described as inflammatory remarks. He called for political leaders to act responsibly and focus on serving Kenyans. 

Ruto’s remarks came days after Uhuru, speaking at a Jubilee Party meeting in Nairobi on September 22, said he remained convinced that Odinga had won the 2022 presidential vote.

Uhuru said he and other leaders had done everything possible to support Odinga’s presidential bid and maintained that Odinga had received the votes needed to win. 

The 2022 presidential election was officially won by Ruto, who was declared the winner with 7,176,141 votes, against Odinga’s 6,942,930 votes. The Supreme Court subsequently upheld Ruto’s election after petitions challenging the result. 

Ruto said political leaders should not use old electoral disputes to deepen divisions, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.

The renewed exchange has brought the 2022 election back into political debate, with leaders from both sides offering differing accounts of the contest. 

Ruto also defended his administration’s broad-based government arrangement, saying bringing together leaders from different political formations was intended to reduce political divisions and promote development.

The latest remarks come as political parties and leaders continue to realign ahead of the 2027 General Election.