Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged opposition leaders to set aside personal ambitions and unite ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning that political divisions could undermine their efforts to provide Kenyans with alternative leadership. Kenyatta made the remarks during the funeral service of Beatrice Wambui Muturi at PCEA Nairobi West on Wednesday, November 11, where he addressed opposition leaders, including Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa.
Kenyatta acknowledged that competition for political leadership was inevitable but challenged the leaders to prioritise the country's interests over individual presidential ambitions. He said his interactions with ordinary Kenyans had convinced him that the public was increasingly demanding unity among opposition leaders.
"As I keep telling my brothers here, Steve, Rigathi, Eugene and others, unajua kiti inaweza kukaliwa na mtu mmoja. Pia mimi naskiza ground, sio ati masikio imefungwa," he said.
The former Head of State urged the leaders to listen to public concerns and consolidate their political efforts, expressing confidence that they would eventually reach an agreement.
"Ninapotembea ground kutafuta kauji, nasikia watu wakisema ni kama wameamua kwamba shida yao ni moja, na hiyo shida ni umoja wa hii watu," he stated.
He further emphasised that national unity must be anchored on justice, maintaining that lasting peace could not be achieved without accountability.
"And I am sure that is what you will deliver for us, with justice. There can be no peace without justice," he said.
The funeral also provided an opportunity for Kenyatta and Gachagua to reflect publicly on their political relationship, with the former Deputy President declaring that he would not allow anyone to create divisions between them again.
Gachagua recounted the role played by the late Wambui in his personal life and political journey, describing her as a mentor who introduced him to entrepreneurship and helped him acquire several properties, including his Karen residence.
He jokingly revealed that he had been selling some of the properties since his impeachment from office.
"Tangu nifutwe kazi, properties alizonisaidia kupata ndio nauza moja moja," he remarked.
Gachagua also recalled working with Wambui to support Kenyatta's first presidential campaign, saying their relationship had later been affected by individuals who sought to separate them.
"Mtu aliingia katikati yangu na Uhuru kutusambaratisha, lakini sasa si tuko pamoja?" he posed.
"Let me say this: nobody will ever succeed in coming between me and former President Uhuru Kenyatta again."
In another light-hearted moment, Gachagua admitted that he had spent KSh1.5 million given to him by Wambui to support Kenyatta's campaign during the 2017 repeat presidential election.
He said Wambui had approached him after the Supreme Court annulled the August 2017 presidential election results and handed him the money to help finance Kenyatta's re-election campaign. However, he confessed that he had diverted the funds to meet his personal needs.
"Aliniletea pesa kwa karatasi ya nylon nisaidie Uhuru, lakini nilikuwa na mahitaji yangu. Hiyo KSh1.5 million, I confess, nilitumia kwa mambo yangu," he said.
Kenyatta responded jokingly, threatening to visit Gachagua's Wamunyoro residence to recover the money.
"Mimi niliretire, lakini nitaenda kwa Wamunyoro kudai ile pesa yangu ya campaign aliyochukua," the former President said, drawing laughter from mourners.
Gachagua also used an allegory involving a herder, a hyena and missing sheep to reflect on his political experiences, suggesting that he had previously ignored warnings about individuals whose actions threatened his political position.
Meanwhile, Kalonzo defended Kenyatta's continued participation in national political discussions, arguing that leaving public office did not take away his right to express his views on the country's affairs.
"We wanted Uhuru to stay out of this as we transform the country, but he is entitled to his opinion and still has the right to contribute to national discourse," Kalonzo said.
The Wiper Party leader called on Kenyans and political leaders to work together to address the country's challenges, saying the nation needed collective efforts to overcome its difficulties.
"It is time for all of us to rescue the nation-state," he stated.
Kalonzo also defended young people's right to political expression, criticising remarks advocating for protesters to be shot in the legs.
"When somebody says, 'Shoot Gen Z in the leg,' that is a presidential fear. And this is why Kenyans are united in calling for one term," he said.
He maintained that young Kenyans had a constitutional right to express their political views and would have an opportunity to exercise their democratic rights at the ballot.
"Young Kenyans have the right to express their political opinions. Next year, they will go to the ballot and say, 'You wanted to shoot us in the legs; we will shoot you at the ballot,'" he added.
The leaders also paid tribute to Wambui, describing her as an influential figure whose contribution extended beyond her family to Kenya's political history.
Kenyatta said the deceased had maintained a close relationship with his mother, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, dating back to her marriage to founding President Jomo Kenyatta. He described her death as a major loss to the extended Kenyatta family, while Kalonzo remembered her contribution to the country's independence struggle.
The funeral brought together several opposition leaders at a time when political figures are facing increasing calls to consolidate their political efforts and present a united front ahead of the 2027 General Election.
