Uhuru to Ruto: Let Opposition campaign

Dr. Fred Matiangi,Eugene Wamalwa & Former president Uhuru Kenyatta with opposition leaders during the 24rd anniversary for former Vice President Kijana Wamalwa.  [Osinde Obare, Standard]

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has scoffed at ongoing attempts to disrupt and sow chaos in opposition rallies while addressing residents at the memorial of late Vice President Kijana Wamalwa.

In likely reference to the ongoing problem of goons, the former president said the growing intolerance and disruption of meetings is taking Kenya backwards. He challenged politicians to seek votes in peace.

“Stopping others from holding political meetings is taking Kenya backwards. If you want votes, ask for them peacefully. We want to move forward. If you want votes, ask peacefully. Even I asked for votes and was denied, but I went back and tried again," Uhuru said.

He added: "People should not interpret my remarks as an attempt to interfere with politics.”

His remarks follow a surge in incidents of goons attacking opposition rallies, the latest being attempts to prevent Linda Mwanainchi from addressing rallies in Homa Bay Town. Other worrying incidents that have not been adequately addressed include attacks during the Ol Kalou by-election, the attack at All Saints Cathedral, and several attacks on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over the past year.

Uhuru also responded to his successor, William Ruto, over claims that he is sponsoring the opposition against him in the 2027 presidential race.

He stated that no one should refer to him as ‘the sponsor,’ adding that Kenyans have a free choice and that there is no need to pressure them into supporting a particular coalition or candidate.

Speaking in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, where he was the chief guest at the 23rd anniversary of the late former Vice President Michael Kijana Wamalwa, Uhuru emphasized that Kenyans must be allowed to select their leaders in 2027 freely.

“The late Wamalwa, Charity Ngilu (former Kitui governor), and Martha Karua fought for democracy in the country. Kenyans have a right to elect whoever they want. And I am here today to defend that democracy. No one has the right to take away that freedom of choice. And I am here to fight for that right,” Uhuru told a cheering crowd.

He added: “We are a democratic society, and those democratic ideals were fought for by the man we are here to honour today, among others. We will not allow anyone to take us back to where the country was before.”

Uhuru urged those seeking elective positions to campaign peacefully, stressing that Kenyans are wise enough to choose their leaders.

“Kenyans are wise; if they say they want Kalonzo, it will be him; if they say they want Ruto, it will be him; if they want Matiang’i, they will pick him; if they want Sifuna, they will vote for him...” Uhuru said.

He challenged politicians to conduct their campaigns peacefully and to refrain from disrupting opponents' meetings.

Uhuru clarified that he is not involved in politics, as he is not contesting any seat, and expressed gratitude to God and Kenyans for allowing him to serve as president for 10 years.

He called on the opposition to unite and respect each other as they aim to choose a single candidate for next year’s general election.

Uhuru's remarks come hours after President Ruto gave an interview regarding the strained relationship with his predecessor.

In the interview, Ruto suggested that Uhuru was sponsoring his opponents in the 2027 race, claiming his predecessor had hindered his reconciliation efforts.

 “My predecessor has an option to become a statesman and rise above politics. But he chose to climb down and become an opposition leader,” Ruto was quoted as saying in one of the publications on Sunday.

Ruto has on numerous occasions during his public engagements claimed that Uhuru was sponsoring and backing his opponents in the opposition.

His allies have particularly accused the Linda Mwananchi Movement, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, of being sponsored by the former president in its campaigns.

Sifuna has since dismissed claims that Uhuru is financing the Linda Mwananchi movement, saying the former Head of State has neither provided financial support nor a campaign strategy.

The former president warned the Ruto administration against undermining democracy.

Uhuru was accompanied by opposition leaders, led by Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, his People's Liberation Party counterpart Martha Karua, Jubilee Deputy Party leader Fred Matiang’i, former Kitui governor Charity Ngilu, and ex-minister Musikari Kombo.

He presided over the launch of a book titled: ‘My Country First,’ which documents the life and legacy of the late Wamalwa.

The former Head of State said he learnt many lessons from Wamalwa during the 2002 general elections when Wamalwa joined hands with the late President Mwai Kibaki to defeat him and his mentor, the late President Daniel arap Moi.

“Though we were in different political camps, Wamalwa and I were good friends. I was in Kanu with Moi, but Wamalwa, together with other leaders, chased us out of power,” said Kenyatta.

He was hosted by former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, former minister Noah Wekesa, and Trans Nzoia County Assembly Speaker Andrew Wanyonyi.

During the event, Kalonzo declared that the  opposition was determined to remove President Ruto next year and that Ruto should not blame Uhuru for this.

 “President Uhuru has a right to speak his mind without being victimised. He has clearly stated that he is not seeking any elective post. So Ruto should prepare for what is awaiting him next year, as the opposition is ready to field a single candidate against him,” he said.

He announced that the opposition leaders are working on a strategy to form a coalition that will make President Ruto a one-term president.

The Wiper Patriotic Front leader told off the government and castigated its leaders for the attacks on Uhuru Kenyatta, arguing that the former head of state has a right to speak on issues affecting Kenyans.

“Uhuru has said he has no interest in politics; why all these attacks on him? He has a right to talk as a leader in this country. Leave him alone," Kalonzo told Kenya Kwanza leaders.

Kalonzo said the formation of a strong team to send Ruto home is in the offing.

Matiang'i condemned rising political violence in the country, warning that skirmishes are not a threat to democracy but give the country a bad image.

“The political violence witnessed is not good for the county, and I beat leaders fanning it. We must move away from goonism because it is portraying the country badly,” he warned.

Ngilu asked the former President Uhuru Kenyatta to join the opposition to liberate the county from misrule and promised that other opposition leaders are committed to give Kenyans a single candidate to oust Ruto from office.

“The best government is here, and all opposition eyeing the presidency are best, and we ask Kenyatta to join us to remove the bad regime from power," said Ngilu.

Muturi and Karua vowed to walk with other opposition leaders to produce a single candidate to dislodge President Ruto.

"I will be among the leaders set to produce one single candidate to remove Ruto from power," said Muturi.

Karua said the opposition leaders will put the country's interests first by presenting Kenyans with one candidate to oust Ruto.