This man Uhuru: His political journey to the highest seat in the republic

Uhuru Kenyatta was born on October 26, 1961, to Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, the founding father and first President of Kenya.

He went to St. Mary’s School Nairobi before enrolling at Amherst College, Massachusetts, USA, where he graduated with a degree in political science and economics in 1985.

Upon his return from the US, Uhuru started a horticultural business that exported flowers and agricultural produce.

1991

In 1991, Uhuru Kenyatta married Margaret Gakuo Kenyatta and are blessed with three children, Jomo, Jaba and Ngina Kenyatta.

1997

His first stint in politics was in 1997 after he was elected as the chairman of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) in his hometown.

In the 1997 general election, he contested for the parliamentary seat and lost.

1999

After catching the eye of former President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi after the 1997 defeat, Moi appointed him chair of the Kenya Tourist Board in 1999.

2001

Moi again nominated him to parliament before appointing him as as the Minister for Local Government.

2002

In 2002 Uhuru was elected as the four vice-chairpersons of KANU before Moi famously endorsed him as his successor. A position that saw the opposition unite against him.

He lost the general election to the third President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki.

2003

Following the defeat to Kibaki, Uhuru served as the leader of opposition from January 2003 to December 2007.

2007

As the chairman of KANU and opposition chief, Uhuru was expected to run against Kibaki in the general election. He however withdrew his candidature and threw his weight behind the president.

That election was bitterly contested between Raila Odinga and Kibaki leading to ethnic clashes countrywide.

2008

Kibaki appointed him as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade in the coalition government.

2009

In January 2009, Uhuru was moved from the Ministry of Trade to the Ministry of Finance.

2010

2010 was a defining year for Uhuru after he was accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for committing crimes against humanity in the 2007 poll violence.

2012

Despite having the ICC noose around his neck, Uhuru left KANU and formed a new party, The National Alliance (TNA), which he used as a vehicle to seek the presidency in 2013.

4^th President- 2013

TNA would propel him to State House after teaming up with William Ruto as his Deputy. Ruto was also a suspect at the ICC.

2017

Uhuru Kenyatta sought a second term in office with a new party after TNA folded to form the Jubilee coalition.

 Come August 8, Uhuru’s win is later annulled by the Supreme Court of Kenya and the IEBC ordered to conduct a repeat poll within 60 days.

October 26

Uhuru Kenyatta wins the repeat poll amidst a cloud of uncertainity over a boycott from his main opponent, NASA leader Raila Odinga.