Uhuru Kenyatta: Kenya's Former President and His Lasting Political Impact

When you think of modern Kenyan leadership, Uhuru Kenyatta, the fourth president of Kenya who served from 2013 to 2022 and led the country through economic reforms and regional diplomacy. Also known as President Kenyatta, he was the first Kenyan leader born after independence, and his presidency marked a shift toward business-friendly policies and tighter regional alliances. His rise wasn’t just political—it was personal. Son of Kenya’s founding president, Jomo Kenyatta, Uhuru carried a legacy that shaped how voters saw him: as a symbol of continuity, not change.

His relationship with William Ruto, his former deputy who later became president and broke from Kenyatta’s Jubilee coalition turned from alliance to rivalry. Their 2017 fallout split the ruling party and set the stage for the 2022 election, where Ruto defeated Kenyatta’s chosen successor. Meanwhile, KANU, the historic party once led by his father and later revived by Gideon Moi, became a quiet but powerful player again—especially after Ruto’s symbolic visit to the Moi family mausoleum, a move that quietly realigned old loyalties.

Uhuru’s time in office saw Kenya’s infrastructure boom—new highways, the Standard Gauge Railway, and expanded power grids—but also criticism over corruption and slow progress on youth unemployment. He stayed mostly silent after leaving office, unlike many ex-leaders who jump into media or lobbying. That silence speaks volumes. He didn’t run for Senate. He didn’t launch a foundation. He stepped back, letting his policies and alliances speak for themselves.

What you’ll find here are the stories that connect Uhuru Kenyatta to the real moments that shaped Kenya—not just headlines, but the behind-the-scenes shifts in power, the political deals, and the quiet moves that still echo today. From police recruitment delays to KANU’s quiet resurgence, these posts show how his presidency didn’t end when his term did—it just changed shape.