Uhuru: This is why I am not quitting politics yet

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta during Jubilee Party National Delegates Conference (NDC) at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi. [Samson Wire,Standard]

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has revealed why he has changed his mind on his exit from politics, months after finishing his two terms.

The former head of state made the remarks at the Jubilee Party National Delegates Conference at the Ngong' Racecourse in Nairobi on Monday, May 22.

In his speech, Uhuru said that he had planned to resign from active politics at the NDC but made an about-turn after a section of party members attempted to kick him out of the party leadership.

"I wanted to resign from politics to focus on other things. In my mind, I thought the NDC would be my time to down my tools. That was my previous thought before others decided to force things," Uhuru said.

"I wanted to tell them to look for someone else to kick out not Uhuru Wa Kenyatta," he added.

The former president also urged 'rebel' members of the party to exit peacefully, if they were dissatisfied by the party operations and decisions.

"Jubilee [Party] joined other parties and declared its stand. The stand is still clear and has not changed. There is no way a neck can bypass the head. Impossible. There is no way those given appointment positions by Jubilee party are the ones to tell us how the party will be," Uhuru said.

"Their duty was to stand for and defend the party. If they can't then they should step aside. We will find someone else to do the job. If you change your mind leave us in peace and give us our positions. Our symbol is a dove meaning peace. We love peace and loving peace does not mean am a coward,"

Uhuru has also hinted at a possible return of the Constitution amendment proposal dubbed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).

"I will not insult anyone, there are experts in that sector, let them continue. It is their right to move from church to church abusing others. Kenyans made a choice, but that doesn't mean we gave up. We wanted BBI and we still do,"

Jubilee Party has been facing leadership wrangles after a section of its members pushed for ouster of the Uhuru and his allies.

The faction led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta has convened a national delegate conference (NDC) to kick out rebel party members.

"Notice is hereby given that the venue of the Jubilee NDC has been moved to Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi. All other details remain as in the notice issued on April 29, 2023," Uhuru said in a notice published in local dailies yesterday.

In a separate communique, the IDRC suspended the convention pending the determination of a dispute between Uhuru and a faction led by East Africa Legislative Assembly lawmaker Kanini Kega.

Kega and others accused the former head of state of violating the party's constitution in convening the NDC.

The two notices came a day after the Kega-led group expelled vice chairperson David Murathe and secretary-general Jeremiah Kioni.

"The committee found that Kioni is guilty of gross misconduct. Article 14.3.1 states the lack of respect for the organs of the party is indiscipline. No organ of the party was spared by the member in his disregard," Kega said on Friday as he communicated the expulsion, an action Murathe and Kioni dismissed.

"We don't pay attention to Kangaroo sittings. The gazetted legal organs of the party are the only ones with the mandate to do certain things as provided for by law," Kioni responded.

Monday's NDC was used to stem a coup against his leadership by expelling Kega and Nominated MP Sabina Chege, the rival camp's party leader, among other rebels who have since aligned themselves with President William Ruto.