Ruto meets Uhuru at his rural home

President William Ruto has visited former president Uhuru Kenyatta at his rural home in Gatundu, Kiambu county.

The office of the 4th President of the Republic of Kenya in a statement shared on Monday, December 9, 2024, revealed that the two leaders had discussed issues of National interest.

Photos of the two leaders happily engaging each other were, however, shared on social media by former President Uhuru’s office.

This time, Uhuru was not donning his white signature fedora hat.

“President William Ruto pays a courtesy call to former President Uhuru Kenyatta at his Gatundu home. The two leaders discussed issues of National interest,” the statement reads.

President William Ruto pays a courtesy call to former President Uhuru Kenyatta at his Gatundu home. The two leaders discussed issues of National interest. pic.twitter.com/BkYYKykxb0— Office of the 4th President of Kenya. (@4thPresidentKE) December 9, 2024

According to a statement shared by State House, President Ruto took the opportunity to reiterate his appreciation and commendation of Uhuru’s statesmanship in overseeing the peaceful transfer of power after the 2022 elections, as well as the goodwill the former President has continued to demonstrate towards his fellow leaders and his support for Kenya’s ongoing progress and development.

President Ruto also thanked President Kenyatta for laying a strong foundation that has enabled the government to implement key programs under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

1. His Excellency President @WilliamsRu today visited former President Uhuru Kenyatta at his family home in Gatundu. During the visit, the two national leaders discussed several issues of national and regional importance.

2. President Ruto took the opportunity to reiterate his… pic.twitter.com/96M1ecNWA2— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) December 9, 2024

Uhuru-Ruto last public engagement

President Ruto and Uhuru last met in public during the consecration of Bishop Peter Kimani in Embu on Saturday, November 16, 2024. 

Uhuru used the event to emphasize the importance of peace in the country.

The former Head of State said that each citizen should pray for the country and avoid issues that might bring about division.

“Mimi sina mengi ya kusema, unajua mimi sasa sina mastori mingi, mimi ninaangalianga tu TV na kusikia redio lakini ningependa kuungana na yale yamesemwa hapa na makamu wa rais ya kwamba tuombee nchi yetu, tuombee amani, tuombee uwiano kati ya viongozi na nchi.

“Tuwache mambo ya ukabila na tupendane. Sisi wote ni wakenya na Kenya haiwezi kufaulu kukiwa na utengano, watu wakitupiana maneno, na wakiwa hawaheshimiani. Viongozi mheshimu wananchi na watarudisha hio heshima,” Uhuru said.

He also praised Bishop Kimani and said he deserved the consecration because of his virtues.

“Niko hapa kumshukuru mwenyezi mungu na kumshukuru Pope Francis kwa kututeulia rafiki yetu, ndugu yetu My Lord Bishop Peter Kimani.

“Ya pili nichukue nafasi hii kumpongeza ndugu yangu wa miaka mingi kwa akuchukua hio cheo amepata. Nimemjua Bishop Kimani kwa muda mrefu sana; rafiki wa dhati na mtu wa haki; mtu mpole; mtu wa heshima; na mtu ambaye ana hutu,” he added.

Uhuru has been living a private life after retiring as Kenya’s fourth president in 2022.

On Saturday, December 7, 2024, he attended a colourful wedding in Naivasha where Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s daughter walked down the aisle.