By Joshua Otieno | April 3, 2026
NAIROBI, KENYA — Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has called on former President Uhuru Kenyatta to step away from active politics and instead take up a unifying role as a senior statesman.
Speaking at a public event on Sunday, Murkomen said Kenyatta’s continued involvement in partisan political activities undermines the dignity associated with the presidency.
“We respect our former President, but there is a time for everything,” Murkomen stated. “The season for active politics for him has passed. We now look to him to be a symbol of national unity and a source of wisdom for the leadership of the day.”
The Cabinet Secretary suggested that Kenyatta should transition into a mentorship role, offering non-partisan guidance to the current administration rather than engaging in political contestation.
The remarks come amid a growing rift between the government and the former Head of State, who has remained active in political discourse through his association with the Jubilee Party.
Government allies have in recent months accused Kenyatta of backing or sympathising with opposition-aligned activities—allegations that his allies have consistently dismissed.
Kenyatta, for his part, has previously defended his constitutional right to participate in politics, maintaining that while he has retired from office, he remains committed to his political beliefs.
The exchange underscores ongoing tensions within Kenya’s political landscape, as the current administration consolidates its influence while the former president continues to maintain a visible presence in national affairs.
