Soy Member of Parliament (MP) David Kiplagat has defended former President Uhuru Kenyatta over his recent involvement in the country’s political scene, dismissing the criticism directed at the former president by a section of the opposition.

Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Kiplagat stressed that the retired president has the right to engage in politics and express his political opinion like any other Kenyan.

Uhuru made a rare political appearance on November 7, 2025, when he joined the Jubilee party grassroots leaders’ meeting in Thika Greens.

Kiplagat has opined that the fourth president of the republic retired from office at a fairly young age, noting his decision to maintain his presence in politics.

Constitutional right

“Every Kenyan has a constitutional right to have their political association and alignments. It is his prerogative to either decide if he can go and rest or do active politics,” he stated.

“The problem we face is he is the youngest retired president, and he still believes he has the energy to determine who he feels can be the president of the nation,” he added.

Also watch: Uhuru speaking during Jubilee NDC.

Focused on 2027

Kiplagat has further emphasised that the ruling coalition remains focused on earning a second term in office and not fixated on the political views of the former president.

“From our side, we have many friends who can clinch the 2027 presidency, and we do not intend to focus on tying people in a corner over who they want to support for the presidency. We have the numbers and the agenda to move this country forward,” he stated.

His remarks were reinforced by activist and commentator Fanya Mambo Kinuthia, who affirmed Uhuru’s right to hold political views.

Kinuthia urged the politicians to draw lessons from mature democracies like the United States, where retired presidents actively engage in politics without hindrances or witch hunts.

“The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. Uhuru means he is enjoying his rights as a Kenyan. Obama campaigned actively around the US for Joe Biden while enjoying his right to security and all other benefits he was entitled to. He also came out to campaign for Kamala Harris,” he stated.

“We need to learn from mature democracies and how they do their politics. That is the kind of politics we need to emulate,” he stated.