Ruto’s 2027 Re-Election ‘Sealed’ After Uhuru Visit to State House—Cherargei

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto met publicly on Friday, 1 August, at State House Nairobi, their first high-profile engagement since the contentious 2022 general election. 

The occasion was a joint summit between the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), focusing on the protracted conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Uhuru, serving as Kenya’s envoy and facilitator for the DRC peace initiative, joined Ruto and Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the current SADC chair, to co-chair the discussions. 

The summit aimed to integrate EAC, SADC, and African Union (AU) peace structures into a unified framework to address the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. Regional leaders and AU officials attended the session. While the summit officially addressed regional security matters, the reunion of Kenyatta and Ruto—formerly allies turned political rivals—has triggered speculation about a potential shift in Kenyan politics. 

Their cordial interactions, including a tour of State House and shared moments captured on social media, have elicited diverse public and political reactions. Senator Samson Cherargei, a key ally of President Ruto, interpreted the meeting as a positive sign for political stability, indicating Ruto's strengthened position ahead of the 2027 elections. 

He suggested the encounter could signify a broader political realignment, describing the next presidential contest as a potential "coronation ceremony" for Ruto and dismissing opposition contenders as premature.