Jubilee accuses President Ruto of hypocrisy

Jubilee Party has accused President William Ruto of hypocrisy after he appeared to respond to remarks by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta during a church service, reigniting a political confrontation between the two former allies.

The party said Ruto had turned a church pulpit into a platform for political criticism while simultaneously calling on leaders to demonstrate restraint, responsibility and decorum in their public conduct.

In a statement issued on Monday, Jubilee Secretary-General Moitalel Ole Kenta accused the President and his administration of engaging in what the party described as “political theatre” and using religious spaces to settle political scores.

“It is the height of political irony when the Head of State stands at the pulpit of a church, a sanctuary reserved for truth, humility, and spiritual reflection, to castigate other leaders for improper decorum and reckless utterances,” Ole Kenta said.

The party's response followed Ruto's remarks at Pentecostal Church in Mwatate, Taita Taveta County, where the President urged political leaders to be role models and exercise restraint in their public conduct.

Ruto cautioned leaders against appearing before the public while intoxicated and criticised those who continue to revisit the 2022 presidential election.

“Hasa sisi tulio viongozi, wewe unafaa kuwa kielelezo. Huwezi kuwa kiongozi halafu unaenda mkutano wa hadhara kama wewe ni mlevi,” Ruto said.

Although Ruto did not mention Uhuru by name, his comments came days after the retired President questioned why his successor continued to invoke his name almost four years after taking office.

The immediate trigger was Uhuru's remarks at a Jubilee Party leadership handover in Nairobi on September 22. The former President questioned why Ruto continued to refer to his administration nearly four years after assuming office.

“And after four years, he is still saying ‘Uhuru this, Uhuru that’. Were you given leadership so that you continue…