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Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta cuts a forlorn image but quickly bursts into a warm bubble of thoughtful energy.

He struggles to disguise his frustration at what he thinks to be a sustained onslaught on his family by President William Ruto’s administration which has accused him of harbouring an armoury.

He seems astounded by the turn of events but vows he will not compromise one thing; his responsibility as a father to protect his family.

The raid at his son’s house by people he suspects to be police has particularly infuriated him.

“My suspicion is that they wanted to plant drugs or guns in the place and then make false claims had my son been naïve and opened the gate,” he reflects.

“I still enjoy my drink but I was not drunk. I was extremely disappointed and angry. You don’t think you would do the same if your family was attacked?” he said of his night protest against the raid.

Listening to him, one gets the impression of a man keen to be left alone to manage his private affairs, stay with his family and concentrate on new causes, particularly his passion for pan-Africanism.

The retired President, who thinks that he is being persecuted for supporting Azimio leader Raila Odinga, has strongly persuaded himself that the Ruto administration is fast crossing the line and encroaching on his personal space, individual political rights and dignity as former Head of State.

In a wide-ranging interview with editors of leading media houses, Uh- uru opened up on the alleged cache of weapons, his beef with President Ruto, who served as his deputy before a dramatic fallout, and the ongoing Azimio demonstrations. And he has poignant advice for his successor.

“My advice to Ruto is (that) power is fleeting and temporary. When you have it, act in the best interest of the country and not those around you. I did my best when I was in power and handed over to you,” he said.

Uhuru states that though he did not support President Ruto in the last election, he has no qualms about rendering him any help if called upon.

“He is my president. I am ready to meet the President if he calls. He invites me I will go there. I handed over power to him. I am retired. As a former president, I can offer advice if required. During my time as President I used to make frequent visits to President Mwai Kibaki in Muthaiga and President Daniel Moi in Kabarak for consultation,” he reflected.

Handshake

The President opened a lid on his beef with Ruto who he campaigned against in the last election.

Uhuru fell out with Ruto during his second term before throwing his weight behind Raila.

However, Ruto would go on to be declared the winner of the election despite pro- tests by Raila.

Uhuru revealed that the shadow of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in- formed his handshake with Raila in their March 2018 truce after protracted fighting that had led to bloodshed and pushed the country to the brink.

According to the retired President, he will not have managed to steer the country through the Covid-19 pandemic had he not struck the handshake.

“Having witnessed the challenges of 2007 and the way the country was headed, I did not want a repeat. I decided to reach out to Raila before it was too late. My deputy insisted that we should maintain a hard stance as he is doing now. That is when he went out there and started claiming that I had abandoned him. Had it not been for the engagement with Raila, we will not have had a country.”

Both Uhuru and Ruto were among Kenyans who were charged with crimes against humanity at the ICC in connection with the 2007 post-election violence. And that is an experience that troubles him a great deal.

“I know everywhere in The Hague, where the cells are. Where you can eat cheap food or drink. No one would desire a repeat of that experience,” he recalled of his ICC trial.

Uhuru discloses that he has been forced to share his security with his mother after the latter was withdrawn. He also thinks that the claims that the Kenyatta

The retired President thinks he is being persecuted for supporting Raila Odinga in last year’s general election.