Talai Forum Withdraws Support for Uhuru Kenyatta Over Backing of Ruto Opponents
The same blessing, the forum noted, was previously extended to former President Kenyatta during his own tenure.
Talai Forum members at a past event in Baringo County during endorsement of the Talai Community members across the country for President Ruto's 2027 Second Term bid. Photo/Talai Forum ,Facebook.
By Robert Mutasi
The Talai Forum, a council claiming to speak for the Talai community, has publicly expressed displeasure with former President Uhuru Kenyatta over what it terms as his continued support for individuals working against the government of President William Ruto.
In a press statement dated 13th August 2026 and signed by its Chairman John Birech, the forum says it has placed on record its disappointment with the former Head of State for backing opponents of President Ruto, among them former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
“The Talai Forum wishes to place on record its displeasure at the continued support by former President Uhuru Kenyatta for individuals working against the Government of H.E. President William Ruto, among them Hon. Rigathi Gachagua and Hon. Edwin Sifuna,” the statement reads.
The forum reminded Kenyatta that when President Ruto sought the Talai’s blessing in his pursuit of the presidency, the Talai did as was expected of them and extended that blessing to him. The same blessing, the forum noted, was previously extended to former President Kenyatta during his own tenure.
“The Talai Forum admonishes former President Kenyatta for going against the wishes and conviction of the Talai in this matter, and condemns his continued support for the opponents of President Ruto,” Birech said in the statement.
According to the Talai Forum, it was a fundamental undertaking at the time the Talai’s blessing was offered that President Ruto be allowed to complete his ten years in office as promised. The forum is now calling on former President Kenyatta to honour that understanding.
“It was a fundamental undertaking, at the time the Talai’s blessing was offered, that President Ruto be allowed to complete his ten years in office as promised. The Talai call on former President Kenyatta to honour this understanding,” the statement adds.
In a strong concluding remark, the forum declared that former President Kenyatta no longer enjoys the support of the Talai community due to his current conduct.
“The Talai Forum wishes to state clearly that, on account of his current conduct, former President Kenyatta no longer enjoys the support of the Talai,” the statement concludes.
The press statement, which bears the official stamp of the Talai Forum Chairman and is headlined “Voice of the Talai Community,” comes amid heightened political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election. Former President Kenyatta has in recent months been seen engaging with leaders perceived to be critical of the Kenya Kwanza administration, including Gachagua who has fallen out with President Ruto and Sifuna who is a vocal ODM figure.
The Talai community, part of the larger Nandi community, is traditionally regarded as custodians of blessings and cultural leadership in the region, and their political endorsement is considered symbolic in Rift Valley politics.
By press time, former President Uhuru Kenyatta had not responded to the statement.
About Author
