A surprise meeting between President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, August 1, has sparked intense political speculation and commentary, with some interpreting the development as a pivotal moment for the 2027 General Election.
The two leaders, whose relationship has been marked by tension since the 2022 election campaign, were seen together at a consultative session on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) peace process, where Uhuru serves as Kenya’s peace envoy. Their joint appearance at the high-level event, which also brought together representatives from the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African Union (AU), has prompted fresh conversations about political realignments ahead of 2027.
Senator Samson Cherargei, a vocal ally of President Ruto, took to his official X account to declare that the meeting symbolised a significant political shift. “The presence of Uhuru at State House yesterday with President Ruto has made most people angry because they don’t want an inclusive, united & cohesive Kenya,” the senator wrote.
Cherargei went further, suggesting that Ruto’s path to a second term is now virtually assured. “This also confirms that ‘tutam’ (re-election) is crystal clear now for President Ruto’s administration; in fact, the 2027 General Presidential Elections will be a coronation ceremony,” he stated confidently.
The senator also took a swipe at opposition figures such as Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, urging them to “wait to run in the 2032 General Presidential Elections.”
Although the meeting was in the context of the DRC peace process, many are reading between the lines. While it remains unclear whether the two leaders held private political discussions, their public reunion has stirred speculation of a thaw in their frosty relations a move that could significantly alter Kenya’s political landscape.
For now, the implications of the meeting remain unclear, but political analysts agree it could mark the beginning of new alliances and redefined loyalties ahead of the 2027 race.
