Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued a fresh warning to his Mt Kenya base while responding to the “sponsor” label levelled against him by President William Ruto and his allies.

Speaking during the funeral service for Mwalimu Jackson Karua, Martha Karua’s father, in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, on Saturday, October 3, Uhuru said he was “content” with his current position.

Uhuru, who has been labelled a “sponsor” of the opposition by Ruto and his allies, asked Mt Kenya residents not to repeat what he described as the mistakes they made in 2022.

"I warned you in 2022 that the path you wanted to take was based on self-deception. You thought you knew better. I knew Raila, and I knew that with his partnership with Karua, this country would be much further ahead. Making a mistake is not the mistake; repeating it is,” Uhuru said in his mother tongue, Kikuyu.

Uhuru, who avoided mentioning names and remained cryptic in his speech, used a popular saying to pass on his message.

“Making a mistake is not the problem. Repeating it is the problem,” Uhuru told the crowd, asking whether they would repeat the error.

In his response to Ruto, Uhuru said he did not mind being called names and insisted that he was not interested in seeking any political seat.

“I’m not looking for anything. I am content and grateful to God for the position he has given me. If people want to insult me by calling me a ‘sponsor,’ a ‘drunkard,’ or whatever else, that’s fine. You’re wasting your time with someone who isn’t looking for anything,” Uhuru said.

Last month, Uhuru handed over the leadership of the Jubilee Party to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i. He said he would remain in the party as a senior adviser as it prepares for the 2027 General Election.

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The former president has faced repeated accusations from Ruto and some Kenya Kwanza allies that he is supporting opposition politicians and political movements seeking to challenge the administration.

The accusations have included claims that Uhuru is using his wealth to support opposition politicians and political pressure groups such as the Linda Mwananchi movement. Uhuru has publicly dismissed the “sponsor” label and recently joked about it during a funeral in Murang’a.

The “sponsor” claims also featured at Saturday’s funeral, where Nyandarua Senator and DCP Secretary General John Methu asked Uhuru to finance his party, while other leaders, including Mukisa Kituyi, joked about the remarks.

The funeral was attended by several political leaders, including former Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi and Fred Matiang’i, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, DAK Leader Eugene Wamalwa, among others.