Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has revealed that his family faced targeting following the conclusion of the 2022 General Election, describing a period of hostility directed at him, his administration, and his loved ones.
Speaking at the Jubilee Party National Delegates Convention on Friday, the former Head of State opened up about the challenges he encountered in the aftermath of the hotly contested polls, while reflecting on his decades-long political career and the nation's current state.
"Three years ago, at the end of a hotly contested General Election, and amid an atmosphere of hostility not only to our party but also to myself, my family, and members of my administration."
Despite the hostile atmosphere, the former president said he remained committed to democratic principles and party renewal.
"But despite that I stood ready to begin a process that should have been normal in any democratic system. A process of rejuvenating our party, and infusing it with new leadership, a new crop of leaders inspired by a new generation who would craft our party's future and our shared vision for our country," he explained.
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However, Uhuru expressed disappointment that the same orderly transition he facilitated at the national level was not replicated within his party structures.
"After having handed over the reins of our state in our orderly manner, I expected the same for our party, but it was not so," he remarked.
Drawing from his extensive experience in politics, Uhuru emphasized the importance of resilience and learning from victories and defeats.
"I have been in active politics for forty years plus. I have seen the good, the ugly. And I have always tried to do my best for my party and most importantly in service to my country," he said.
The former president stressed that bitterness has no place in politics, stating, "I have lost and won elections, taking each in my stride, learning. In politics, you can never be led by bitterness or anger. That only deviates you from your vision. Those who want to continue with insults can continue. We don't have a problem with anybody."
During his address, Uhuru highlighted Kenya's significant achievements during the decade that Jubilee was in power, underscoring the progress made across various sectors under his administration's leadership.
The former president did not refrain from critiquing the current government's approach to governance and development. He expressed concern that many of the gains achieved during his tenure were being reversed, particularly pointing to healthcare initiatives.
Uhuru specifically mentioned discontinuing the Linda Mama program, which provided free maternal healthcare services to Kenyan women. He argued that this program, along with others, had been replaced with unproven alternatives leaving citizens to bear the consequences.
The former president warned that the country was experiencing regression due to an overemphasis on political rhetoric at the expense of meaningful development initiatives.
He suggested that the focus on divisive political narratives was hindering national progress and causing suffering among ordinary Kenyans.
"As we continue to dwell in rhetoric rather than in progress, we repeat the mistakes of the past. Indeed, some of the truths we spoke of yesterday have become the reality check of today, while some of the myths and falsehoods have become the nightmare that many are living," he stated.
