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Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and current President William Ruto were publicly seen together on Friday for the first time in nearly eight months. The two leaders shared a platform at State House, Nairobi, during a closed-door meeting between the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) co-chairs, alongside facilitators of the ongoing peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Also present was Zimbabwean President Emerson Mnangagwa, who chairs SADC.
Uhuru and Ruto’s public reunion comes after a long period of political tension that began before the 2022 general elections. During that time, Uhuru, then serving as president, endorsed opposition leader Raila Odinga instead of his deputy, Ruto, as his preferred successor. Ruto went on to win the election and took over from Uhuru as Kenya’s fifth president.
Despite their political fallout, Friday’s event showed a moment of mutual respect and cooperation between the two leaders. Uhuru attended in his current role as the African Union-Kenya Peace Envoy and Facilitator of the EAC-led Nairobi Peace Process.
Their last known meeting was in December 2024 at Uhuru’s Ichaweri home in Gatundu, where President Ruto paid him a courtesy visit. A statement from State House after that meeting noted that the two discussed national and regional issues. Ruto also thanked Uhuru for his role in overseeing a peaceful transition after the 2022 election and for continuing to support Kenya’s progress.
Ruto has consistently emphasized the importance of unity among political leaders, especially when addressing national challenges. After the December meeting, he told a rally in Wajir that leaders should build bridges and work together for the good of the country. He also defended his decision to work with both Uhuru and Raila, despite past differences.
In an earlier interview with Al Jazeera, Ruto explained why he chose to retain Uhuru in his peace envoy role even though the former president campaigned against him. “I’m the President now, the big brother, and it’s my responsibility to work with him,” he said. He stressed that the election was over and that it was time to focus on leadership and service to the country.
Ruto also made similar remarks during his inauguration in September 2022, saying Kenya would support regional peace initiatives led by Uhuru. He thanked his predecessor for agreeing to take on the role.
Friday’s reunion was more than just a photo opportunity. It sent a powerful message about political maturity and national unity. In a country where political rivalries often persist long after elections, the image of Uhuru and Ruto shaking hands and sharing a platform highlighted the possibility of putting the country above personal differences.
While Uhuru has mostly stayed away from local political debates since leaving office, his involvement in the DRC peace talks has kept him active on the regional stage. His appearance at State House not only reinforces his relevance but also supports Ruto’s broader efforts to unite past rivals in the interest of national and regional stability.
It’s still unclear if this moment signals a deeper political reconciliation or simply a show of statesmanship. However, with the 2027 elections approaching, such public gestures could help cool tensions and encourage a more peaceful political climate.
For now, the reunion between Kenya’s former and current presidents offers a hopeful sign that leadership, dialogue, and cooperation can take priority over past political battles.