Uhuru: Pact with Raila raises hope of prosperity

President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday intensified his campaign for Azimio-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga while opening the refurbished Nakuru Railway station.

The Head of State, who embarked on a two-day tour of the vote-rich county on Tuesday, defended his March 2018 surprise Handshake with Raila, saying it was done in good faith and with the interest of the country at heart.

Noting that handshake was intended to bring the country together through the Building Bridges Initiative, Uhuru said there was nothing wrong with him dropping Deputy President William Ruto for Raila.

The President saud his political pact with Raila in 2018 had similar weight and goals with the one he entered into with DP in 2013, which saw the duo win the presidential election in the same year and also in 2017.

Uhuru, who later retreated into a closed-door meeting at his Gacheca farm with selected members of the Kikuyu community, maintained that Raila had better prospects than the Deputy President.

“If it was no mistake with me coming to an agreement with William Ruto in 2013, what is wrong with me shaking hands with Raila,?” Uhuru asked.

The fact that the President chose Nakuru, a region often considered as the melting pot of Kenya’s politics, would not escape the attention of political observers. With slightly over one million votes, Nakuru is the third biggest voting bloc in the country. 

Citing his political pact with Ruto in 2013, Uhuru said he has the history of reaching out to his political rivals for the sake of the country’s stability. “Is looking for peace wrong? My stand from the start has been looking for unity and peace among Kenyan. Let us not accept to be lied to in cheap politics,” he said.

 He took a swipe at his deputy, whom he accused of propagating deceitful politics, adding that this was the reason he preferred Raila as his successor.

 “Afadhali mzee wa ukweli badala ya mtu mchanga wa uongo. (An old honest man is better than a young deceitful leader). I canot walk with someone who thrives on lies. The truth shall set you free,” he said.

Right time

“You were lied to that Raila and I wanted a referendum because I did not  want to retire. The referendum was for Kenyans. We wanted fairness in revenue sharing based on how much people contribute,” President Uhuru explained.

 He at the same time said Rail was best suited to succeed him and urged the residents to vote for him and Azimio candidates.

“I am asking with humility, hold Raila’s hands. Also, do not  deny him or  his soldiers votes. Vote for Azimio leaders,” the President said.

 The President added that Ruto should take a break and wait for the right time to come for him to lead the country.

 “Even the rest are our people. They should stop the high speed and insults. Let them stay where they are and when the opportune time comes, there will be no problem,” he said. Uhuru reiterated that without his pact with Ruto in 2013 and subsequently with Raila in 2018, the country would not have realised meaningful development achieved during his two terms.

 “I thank the people of Nakuru for the years you have supported me. As I retire, I will be here with you. I urge you to maintain the peace that we have enjoyed together,” he added.

 President called on those seeking elective seats in the August 9 elections to conduct themselves with decorum and prioritise Kenyans interest.

 “Divisions have brought us endless fights making us lag behind in development. Today, many communities are living peacefully with each other in Nakuru. That is the Kenya we want,” he said.

 Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani said the revitalisation of the Nakuru-Kisumu Meter Gauge Railway will go a long way in bolstering development across the country.  Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the revival of the line now positions the country as a leading investment destination in the East African region.

 “Our airport is almost complete. Nakuru will soon be connected by air, road and rail. Anyone who wishes to set up business in East Africa will come here,” Kinyanjui said.