Karua to Ruto: Stop weaponising Uhuru for political optics
By David Nthua, August 4, 2025PLP boss Martha Karua has slammed President William Ruto over attempting to create a perception that former President Uhuru Kenyatta and himself are one thing.
Speaking to Kameme TV on Monday, August 4, 2025, the politician, while commenting about Uhuru’s latest appearance at State House, said that Ruto was using the moment to mislead Kenyans.
She criticised leaders who twist the image of a retired President for political gain.
Uhuru should be respected
“Uhuru should be given his respect like the former Head of State,” Karua said during the interview.
She explained that it is wrong to use the former President as a symbol in political wars.
“We in the opposition would not like to attach him like a shield in a war,” she added.
Karua said Uhuru deserves peace and privacy after serving the country.
“We haven’t lacked ways to talk to him, because when a person grows old, there is a respect he is given under his position as a retired President.”
She said dragging Uhuru into active politics sends the wrong message.
“Uhuru shouldn’t be dragged into the day-to-day politics of this country. He should be left to rest,” she added.
Reaction to recent events
Karua’s comments come just days after President Ruto and his close allies used Uhuru Kenyatta’s appearance at State House during an international virtual meeting to suggest that a 2027 re-election deal was already done.
They claimed that the joint presence showed harmony between the two leaders.
Karua, however, disagreed with that view.
“Like now I saw Ruto attaching himself to Uhuru so that Kenyans can view that he and Uhuru are together,” she said.
She added that the President is desperate to control public opinion.
“Because he has seen his government is falling like a pack of cards,” she said.
Karua concluded by reminding leaders to uphold dignity when dealing with former Presidents.
She warned that using them for political tricks only shows weakness.