Kenya’s politics is entering a tense phase as attention slowly shifts to the 2027 general elections, with former President Uhuru Kenyatta still playing a noticeable role in national discussions. Even after leaving office, his name continues to surface in debates about power, influence, and future alliances.
Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi has added to this debate by offering a sharp view on why Uhuru remains relevant.
According to him, Uhuru’s continued influence is not mainly because of his own political strength, but because President William Ruto has failed to weaken him politically.
Ahmednasir argues that over the last four years, the current administration has missed chances to break down Uhuru’s support base, especially in regions where the former president still commands loyalty.
In his view, African politics is often unforgiving, and leaders who fail to deal firmly with rivals end up giving them room to regroup.
Ahmednasir believes Ruto did not take decisive steps to divide Uhuru’s core supporters, sometimes described as his political weak spot. This, he says, has allowed Uhuru to remain politically intact and able to influence events from behind the scenes.
This argument gains weight when looking at Central Kenya and surrounding regions, where Uhuru still enjoys goodwill among sections of the population.
Despite changes in leadership, old networks remain active, and efforts to fully shift loyalties have not been fully successful. As a result, Uhuru’s voice still matters, especially when political tensions rise.
Recent newspaper reports and commentaries have also pointed to ongoing talks within opposition circles. There are references to plans aimed at reorganizing groups such as Azimio la Umoja, learning from past elections where divided opposition weakened their chances.
These discussions suggest attempts to unite leaders, avoid internal competition, and present a stronger front ahead of 2027.
Alliances are clearly shifting. There is growing interest in how Uhuru might relate with other political players, particularly from the Mount Kenya region. Whether these moves will pose a real threat to President Ruto’s re-election remains unclear.
What stands out from Ahmednasir’s analysis is the idea that Uhuru’s current position is less about a political comeback and more about missed chances by the sitting government. The months ahead will show whether this situation changes or becomes a key issue in Kenya’s next election.
