Ngunjiri Wambugu: We are waiting for Uhuru’s signal on whether to support Ruto
By Mabonga Makhanu, August 2, 2025Former Nyeri MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has reacted following the meeting between former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto at State House.
He indicated that they are now waiting for Uhuru to give direction on whether to support Ruto for his second term or not.
In a Facebook post on the night of Friday, July 1, 2025, Wambugu reflected on his previous role as a close ally and communications advisor to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a position from which he later fell out. He noted that if he were still in Gachagua’s camp, it would have been difficult to spin or neutralise the State House meeting between Uhuru and Ruto.
Wambugu added that since he is no longer part of Gachagua’s team, he is able to enjoy seeing the two former rivals interacting warmly at State House as Ruto showcased the developmental changes made to the compound. He observed that those currently handling Gachagua’s communications strategy now face the challenge of explaining or spinning the cordial meeting.
According to Wambugu, who is a member of the Jubilee Party, with Uhuru as its party leader, the party has not yet decided on whether to be part of the opposition or rally behind Ruto for his second term, and that will depend on Uhuru.
“Thank God I am no longer handling Gachagua’s strategic communications; otherwise, we would still be in a room scratching our heads as we try and figure out how to spin this. Now … I am just enjoying seeing No 5 showing No 4 the infrastructural changes in State House. As for those doing what I used to do, I can see the effort … but bado kidogo. Meanwhile, sisi watu wale tulikuwa #NoTam; sasa tunangoja mdosi atuambie kama tuko #WanTam ama #Tutam,” Ngunjiri stated.
Uhuru meets Ruto
This comes after President William Ruto hosted former President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House, Nairobi, on August 1, 2025, for a high-level diplomatic summit focused on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) peace process.
The meeting was part of a joint East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Co-Chairs’ summit, co-chaired by Ruto (EAC Chairman) and Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa (SADC Chairman).
Kenyatta attended in his official capacity as a facilitator of the EAC-led Nairobi Process, aimed at resolving the conflict in eastern DRC.
The summit included distinguished African leaders such as Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo, Ethiopia’s Sahle-Work Zewde, and Botswana’s Mokgweetsi Masisi, focusing on harmonising regional peace efforts.
Beyond the formal discussions, Ruto and Kenyatta shared a cordial moment, with Ruto giving Kenyatta a tour of State House to showcase ongoing renovations.
Photos and videos of their warm interaction, including a firm handshake and laughter, sparked public interest and mixed reactions among Kenyans, given their historically strained relationship since the 2022 election fallout.
Ruto later described Kenyatta as his “old good friend” on social media, emphasising reconciliation and national cohesion.
The summit resulted in key resolutions, including the formation of a Joint Secretariat under the African Union Commission and a unified framework for peacebuilding in the DRC.