Former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has escalated political tensions by strongly condemning what he terms sustained attacks and vilification of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing leaders within the Kenya Kwanza administration of engaging in politically motivated intimidation.
In a hard-hitting statement, Muturi said the continued targeting of the former Head of State must stop immediately, warning that the conduct amounts to a “direct affront to constitutional democracy” and an attempt to undermine the political rights of a retired President.
“Stop attacks and vilification of retired president uhuru kenyatta,” Muturi stated, adding that the sustained hostility from government-aligned leaders was “reckless, unnecessary, and a calculated attempt to silence former Head of State and curtail his political rights that are guaranteed to every Kenyan.”
He accused sections of the Kenya Kwanza leadership of deliberately misframing the matter as a domestic political issue, arguing that such a position reflects what he termed a “flimsy understanding of global politics and democratic practice.”
“What is even more troubling is the narrow and misguided framing by some of these leaders, who reduce this matter to a purely domestic issue,” he said, insisting that Kenya is part of a broader global democratic order where retired leaders continue to play influential political and diplomatic roles.
Muturi cited examples of former African and global leaders who remain active in public life after leaving office, arguing that Uhuru Kenyatta is entitled to the same space and respect. He referenced leaders such as Kikwete, Muluzi, Zuma, Khama and Nawaz Sharif, among others, saying their continued engagement in public affairs reflects global democratic norms.
He further warned Kenya Kwanza against what he described as growing political intolerance, accusing the ruling coalition of attempting to control political alignments beyond its mandate.
“Kenya Kwanza must desist from this dangerous path of political intolerance. No political formation has the right to dictate the leadership, alliances, or internal affairs of another,” Muturi said. “We do not choose partners for them, and they will not choose partners for us.”
In one of the most politically charged sections of his statement, Muturi directly implicated President William Ruto, alleging that he is behind what he called “continued deployment of proxies” targeting the former President.
“We know that you, Mr President William Ruto, are behind the continued deployment of your proxies to attack and vilify H.E Uhuru Kenyatta,” he claimed, urging the Head of State to rein in his political allies and restore order within his administration.
Muturi also dismissed attempts to link Uhuru Kenyatta to perceived failures of the current government, arguing that such narratives amount to scapegoating.
“It must be clearly understood that the failures of your government cannot and will not be blamed on Uhuru Kenyatta. leadership demands accountability, not scapegoating,” he said.
He further anchored his argument on constitutional protections, citing Article 151(3), which safeguards the benefits and privileges of retired Presidents. Muturi warned that any attempt to undermine those protections would be unconstitutional.
“Let them also be reminded of Article 151(3) of the Constitution, which clearly protects the benefits and privileges of a retired President from being altered to their disadvantage. Any attempt to intimidate or undermine this provision is both unconstitutional, null and void and unacceptable,” he stated.
Muturi went on to describe the current political environment as increasingly hostile, warning that the trend could erode democratic gains if not checked. He insisted that targeting former leaders sets a dangerous precedent for Kenya’s governance and democratic stability.
By targeting Uhuru Kenyatta, Muturi said, “Kenya Kwanza kakistocracy has dialed the wrong number,” adding that he and allied political formations would resist any attempts to intimidate the former President.
“We will not be intimidated. The United Alternative Government will firmly defend his constitutional and statutory rights,” he said.
He has called for a return to issue-based politics, warning that continued political vendetta, propaganda and personal attacks risk damaging Kenya’s democratic image.
“Kenya deserves mature, issue-based politics, not intimidation, propaganda, or vendetta. Kenya is part of a global democratic community, and we will not allow ignorance, whether deliberate or otherwise, to erode the standards we must uphold as a nation,” Muturi said.
