Former President Uhuru Kenyatta sounded a sharp warning against a resurgence of “politics of division,” urging the nation’s leadership to prioritize pressing issues like the high cost of living that bring Kenyans together. He cautioned that unchecked hate speech could easily plunge the country back into the dark tensions of the 2007 post-election violence.
Speaking on Monday at the Kiambu Golf Club during a meeting with Jubilee Party delegates, Uhuru used the platform to address both internal party friction and the country’s broader political temperature.
During the address, Uhuru took an indirect swipe at United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan, accusing him and other political figures of stoking dangerous tribal animosities. The Jubilee Party leader stressed that no single community or political faction holds the right to marginalize or intimidate others, reminding politicians that every citizen owns an equal stake in Kenya.
He championed Jubilee as a truly national party rather than a regional outfit, calling on it to unite the country while warning leaders against using intimidation or discrimination to score political points.
“Nikiwa kiongozi wa chama chetu, chama chetu si cha eneo fulani. Chama chetu ni cha kitaifa… Hatuwezi kukubali kurudishwa nyuma. Hakuna mtu anastahili kutisha mwenzake, kutisha jamii fulani,” he said.
(As the leader of our party, our party does not belong to a certain region. Our party is a national party… We cannot accept being taken backwards. No one should intimidate another person or threaten a certain community)
Uhuru expressed deep concern over politicians who openly peddle divisive rhetoric “even in front of the leaders of the country” without facing any public pushback.
“Tumeanza kuona wengine wakianza siasa ya mgawanyiko… wakiongea mbele ya viongozi wa nchi, na hakuna mtu anasimama kuwaambia,” he said.
(We have started seeing some people engaging in divisive politics… speaking in front of the country’s leaders, and no one stands up to tell them off)
Warning of grave consequences, he insisted that Kenya must learn from its past mistakes.
“Tusipoambiana ukweli tutarudia makosa… ya mwisho tuliona 2007, na ilianza kwa maneno watu wanaongea,” he added.
(If we do not tell each other the truth, we will repeat the same mistakes… the last time we saw that was in 2007, and it started with the words people were saying)
“Roads Are Not Built With Words”: Uhuru Tells Politicians to Fix the Economy
Ultimately, Uhuru appealed to national leaders to halt this dangerous narrative, arguing that economic pressure, not politics, is driving the current frustration among Kenyans. To illustrate his point, the former president highlighted the harsh reality facing many households, pointing out that low wages quickly vanish under the weight of expensive fuel and heavy taxes.
“Issue ni simple… watu wanapiga kelele kwa sababu mimi ni mtu mshahara wangu ni 20k, 800 inaenda kwa mafuta, 12 inaenda kwa kodi. Hiyo ndiyo shida, ongelesha shida,” he said.
(The issue is simple… people are complaining because, for example, my salary is KSh 20,000, KSh 800 goes to fuel, and KSh 12,000 goes to taxes. That is the real problem; talk about the issues.)
He dismissed political blame games and relentless finger-pointing, stating that such tactics will neither put food on the table nor construct roads.
“Wakenya hawatakula maneno akiwa na njaa. Barabara hazijengwi na maneno,” he noted.
(Kenyans will not feed on words when they are hungry. Roads are not built with words.)
Uhuru also challenged younger politicians to steer clear of what he termed “cheap popularity.” Instead, he urged them to champion meaningful policies and offer real solutions that stabilize the economy, create sustainable jobs, and improve livelihoods.
“Nyinyi vijana mjue ni viongozi. You cannot be leaders with cheap popularity… mtafute mkiwaeleza namna mtakavyo wabadilishia maisha,” he said.
(You young people should know you are leaders. You cannot be leaders with cheap popularity… you should seek to explain to them how you will change their lives.)
“I Warned You!”
At the same time, Uhuru Kenyatta reminded Kenyans of his 2022 campaign warnings against electing the current administration, noting that the country’s current economic struggles mirror the exact issues he predicted. He urged voters, particularly residents of Kiambu and the wider Mt. Kenya region, to reflect carefully on their past choices and begin prioritizing leaders who champion genuine development and service delivery over empty political rhetoric.
Looking ahead to the 2027 General Election, the former president pressed residents to maintain their unity, warning that political fracturing would only weaken their communities and derail long-term regional development.
“I warned you in 2022, but you didn’t listen. Now you are crying,” he said.
While Uhuru encouraged voters to hear out all political candidates during the upcoming campaign season, he insisted that voters must make their final decisions at the ballot based on hard facts, performance, and long-term impact rather than fleeting political influence.
“When they come to your areas, kindly take the money, but when the election comes, vote wisely,” he said.
