"Uhuru is Already Scared Of What His Successor Has Achieved" Says PLO Lumumba

Lumumba has claimed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta is unsettled by the strides made by his successor, President William Ruto.

Lumumba, known for his sharp intellect and unsparing commentary on governance, suggested that Uhuru’s recent public criticisms of the Ruto administration stem not from genuine concern alone, but from a deep discomfort with the visible transformations underway under the “bottom-up” economic model.

Through an Exclusive Interview with a local TV Station. This is what Patrick Lumumba said....."President Uhuru is jumping into the ray in a not-so-subtle manner. 

There is a sense in which he is worried because as the saying goes, you are not successful until your successor succeeds. And when one looks at the nation today, it is on tenterhooks."

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has in recent months broken his characteristic silence, openly accusing President Ruto of pursuing “untested experiments” that are hurting ordinary Kenyans.

Speaking at a Jubilee Party event, Uhuru reminded citizens that he had warned them against electing his former deputy, framing the current administration’s policies as a setback to the country’s progress.

This rare public broadside has drawn sharp responses from Ruto allies, who accuse the former president of failing to respect the democratic transition and of nursing political grudges. 

Reports of strained relations, including alleged heated exchanges in closed-door meetings, have further fueled speculation of a deepening rift between the two.

Prof. Lumumba, while often critical of governance failures across the board, appeared to flip the script in this instance. He argued that some of the discomfort from the previous regime reflects unease over Ruto’s aggressive push on key fronts:

Economic reorientation — Emphasis on hustler empowerment, youth funds like NYOTA, and bottom-up initiatives that Ruto claims have delivered beyond expectations.

Foreign policy assertiveness — Positioning Kenya as a regional leader, including EAC chairmanship and international engagements.

Infrastructure and opportunities — Continued rollout of projects aimed at the informal sector and rural economies.

According to Lumumba, history shows that predecessors often struggle to watch successors carve their own path, especially when tangible results begin to emerge. He urged elder statesmen to offer constructive counsel privately rather than inflame public anger.