Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has challenged President William Ruto’s description of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta as a “rebel leader”, arguing that political disagreement and criticism of the government do not amount to rebellion.
Matiang’i said lawful political participation and criticism of an administration were protected aspects of democratic governance, as he defended Kenyatta’s decision to comply with a recent High Court ruling on his position as Jubilee Party leader.
“A rebel is not a person who disagrees with the Government. Political disagreement is not rebellion. Criticism of an administration is not rebellion. Lawful political participation is not rebellion,” Matiang’i said on Wednesday.
His remarks came after the High Court upheld a legal provision restricting retired presidents from holding leadership positions in political parties beyond six months after leaving office.
The ruling directly affected Uhuru, who had remained Jubilee Party leader after leaving State House. Uhuru subsequently said he was willing to hand over the Jubilee chairmanship, with his office stating that the court ruling had provided the legal clarity needed to complete the delayed transition.
“The former President affirms his absolute willingness to see the handover completed openly, lawfully, and in strict accordance with the Party’s constitution,” his office said.
Matiang’i argued that Kenyatta’s acceptance of the ruling demonstrated respect for the law rather than defiance of the government.
“It’s a paradox that President William Ruto called former President Uhuru Kenyatta a ‘rebel leader’ the same day Kenyatta accepted the High Court ruling and confirmed he’d hand over Jubilee’s leadership,” he said.
“That’s not rebellion; that’s respect for the rule of law.”
The High Court ruling, delivered by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, upheld Section 6 of the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act, which bars a retired president from holding a political party office for more than six months after leaving the presidency.
The court, however, did not prohibit former presidents from belonging to political parties or participating in political activities. Justice Mugambi said the restriction was linked to the unique political influence associated with having served as head of state.
Matiang’i also shifted the focus to economic concerns facing ordinary Kenyans, saying political debate should not be reduced to claims about who is financing or directing opposition activities.
“When a young Kenyan asks where the jobs are, when a family asks why the cost of living keeps rising, that is not Uhuru speaking. That is Kenyans speaking for themselves,” he said.
The former Interior CS urged Ruto to concentrate on addressing citizens’ concerns instead of attributing opposition activities to political sponsors.
“Spend less time hunting for sponsors of the opposition, Mr. President, and more time serving the citizens who elected you. Kenyans are our sponsors!” Matiang’i said.
His comments echo remarks he made earlier in September in which he dismissed claims that Kenyatta was sponsoring opposition activities and said calls for political change were being driven by Kenyans themselves.
Matiang’i said the roles of government and opposition should remain distinct within a democratic system. “Government should govern. Opposition should oppose. Parties should compete. Kenyans should decide. That is democracy. It is not rebellion,” he said.
The remarks come as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Jubilee and other opposition-aligned parties positioning themselves for the next electoral contest.
The High Court ruling has also opened the way for the formal transition of Jubilee’s leadership, with Kenyatta’s office saying the former President welcomed a new chapter for the party based on the rule of law and its constitution.