Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta

DATE OF BIRTH


October 26, 1961

GENDER


Male

OCCUPATION


Politician

FAMILY


Second born son of Jomo and Ngina Kenyatta. Married to Margaret Kenyatta; they have three children

BIOGRAPHY


Former President Uhuru Kenyatta completed his secondary school education at St Mary’s, Nairobi, in 1979. He then joined Amherst College, a prestigious private liberal arts college in Massachusetts, US, from 1981 to 1985 and graduated with a degree in political science and economics.

Mr Kenyatta served as the fourth president of Kenya. First elected in 2013 alongside his deputy William Ruto, he was re-elected in 2017 in a controversial poll that was nullified by the Supreme Court, forcing a repeat poll that was held on his birthday in 2017. He won and was sworn into office for his final term on November 28, 2017. After completing his term, he handed over power to his deputy, Dr William Ruto, in 2022, after the latter won the presidential election against his closes rival, Mr Raila Odinga. 

His first stab at elective politics in 1997 was unsuccessful when he lost the Gatundu South Parliamentary seat to Mr Moses Muhia of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). However, former President Daniel arap Moi nominated him to parliament in 2001 and appointed him Minister for Local Government. The following year, Mr Moi controversially picked him as his preferred successor in the 2002 general election. He lost to Mwai Kibaki and he became the official leader of opposition until the tail end of 2007 when he opted defect to the government to support Mr Kibaki’s re-election.

Mr Kibaki was declared the winner of the contested poll that was followed by post-election violence. Later, Mr Kibaki and his main rival, Mr Raila Odinga, formed a grand coalition government where the former President appointed Mr Kenyatta as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade. He then redeployed him to the Ministry of Finance. 

Latest articles on Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta:

  1. PREMIUM Muthama: Only Raila can challenge Ruto in 2027

    Muthama also added that Uhuru was not keen on seeing Raila become President.

    Johnson Muthama
  2. Uhuru to Ruto: Leave me out of your mess

    Uhuru says it is unfortunate that one year after taking over, Ruto still blames him.

    Uhuru Kenyatta
  3. Raila: I regret backing Uhuru’s candidate Igathe for Nairobi governor

    ODM leader reveals how Azimio tried to persuade Wanyonyi to be Igathe's running mate.

  4. PREMIUM SGR burns Sh70bn, leaves taxpayer with loan burden

    Kenya Railways Corporation is yet to start wiring money towards the SGR loan repayments.

    DNCOASTTRUCKSCORRIDOR30
  5. Uhuru goes after rebels’ committee seats

    Sabina Chege and Kanini Kega could also be de-registered as party members.

    Mark Mwenje and Jubilee Party Vice Chair David Murathe
  6. Sabina Chege ousted as House Deputy Minority Whip

    Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje to take over.

    Sabina Chege
  7. Florence Mutua: Why I quit UN job to join elective politics

    Former MP held various positions at Unicef, including programme assistant and human resource assistant.

  8. Former PS Julius Korir a free man in assault case against ex-wife

    Mr Korir was charged with assaulting his ex-wife, an offence he allegedly committed at their Karen home on September 17, 2020.

  9. Gachagua now reaches out to Azimio leaders in Mt Kenya

    He says he was keen to ensure that the interests of the region were represented in Kenya Kwanza.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  10. Gachagua: We will borrow Sh150bn from China to complete stalled roads

    The president will ask the Chinese government to review credit service terms.

    Rigathi Gachagua
  11. Leaders now want GSU deployed to war-torn Sondu border

    Leaders have accused local police officers of being complicit in handling the attacks.

    New Content Item (3)
  12. Uhuru back on Twitter? Not so fast

    A verified account with the identity Uhuru Kenyatta has been actively posting on X in recent days.

    President Uhuru Kenyatta
  13. PREMIUM Moi bishop: Why I failed to reconcile Uhuru, Ruto

    Bishop Yego revisits intrigues of politics in the 1990s and more recent efforts he was involved in to reunite Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto.

    Bishop Silas Yego
  14. PREMIUM Ruto faces a crisis like Uhuru in 2015

    With the President away, a power struggle has deepened within the ruling coalition

    Jubilee Party Leader and former President Uhuru Kenyatta
  15. The power women calling shots in key State agencies

    The movers and shakers hold decisive positions, shaping Kenya’s governance and administration in the public sector.

  16. Little progress in implementation of Uhuru's 12 anti-GBV pledges

    Two years on, indicator integrated into state performance contracting framework by former president has since been dropped.

  17. PREMIUM The steep cost of Uhuru-Ruto fallout

    Kenyans will pick up the tab when the Ruto administration decides to do away with projects initiated by his predecessor.

    Former President Uhuru Kenyatta receives President William Ruto at State House
  18. Stem cost of political fallout

    The civil service should operate freely and efficiently irrespective of who or which political formation or party is at the helm

  19. PREMIUM Embakasi Ranching: Phidelis Wangari honeymoon that never was? 

    She appears to have temporarily survived a plot to kick her out.

    Embakasi Ranching Company Limited chair Phideli Wangari
  20. How devolution has changed women's leadership

    It's been 10 years since the devolved system came into force.