Wangari Njuguna and DPPS

Deputy President William Ruto has said President Uhuru Kenyatta is free to exercise his democratic right, including endorsing his preferred successor. 

The DP,  however, said the President’s decision does not make him his competitor.

Consequently, Ruto cautioned ODM party leader Raila Odinga against using the President’s decision to turn the August polls into a contest between him and his boss, Uhuru. 

“I respect the President’s decision to support Raila. It is his democratic right. However, the ODM leader should know the competition is not between me and Uhuru. It is between me and Raila,” he said.

Speaking in Kitui yesterday, the Deputy President asked Raila to stop hiding behind Uhuru and face him. 

Ruto said Kenyans have the capacity to distinguish Uhuru from Raila, noting that the only thing that will sell the Azimio La Umoja candidate was an alternative agenda. “Do not hide behind the President. Let us all come with our agenda and track records and leave it to Kenyans to decide.” 

The Deputy President said Kenya Kwanza team has presented Kenyans with its development agenda for consideration, noting that they are the ones with the final say on the choice of the country’s leadership.   

Ruto exuded confidence Kenyans will vote for Kenya Kwanza Alliance’s agenda, which he described as progressive and people-centred.

“It is the people who will decide who the next president of Kenya will be, and therefore, we will submit ourselves to the people and will respect their decision,” the DP said, urging Raila to commit to Kenyans that he will accept election results.

Safe hands 

Deputy President spoke even as Jubilee leaders from Murang’a urged residents to adhere to Uhuru’s call for them to support Raila. They said Uhuru, who is the leader of the GEMA community, can never go wrong on the direction the region should follow.

Led by former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, Gatanga MP Ngugi Nduati, his Kangema counterpart Muturi Kigano and former Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura, the leaders said the President was out to protect the interests of the region and ensure residents are in safe hands after he exits office.

“President Uhuru is the head of this nation and he knows what is best for the people of the region as well as the entire country,” Kenneth said.

Nduati lauded Uhuru’s move to endorse Raila, saying he has led by example by showing Central voters the path to follow.

“A true leader is the one who knows the way and leads the path for his people to follow,” he said. “I urge the people of this region to heed to what the President said and not to be duped into making a different choice which they might regret.”

Roads and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said the President has accomplished immense development for the country and his legacy shall live on for years. 

“The Central region has largely benefited from many projects under the Jubilee government and we cannot afford to lose the gains made so far,” he said.

In Kitui,  Ruto was accompanied by Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetang’ula, MPs Nimrod Mbai (Kitui East), Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), Tharaka Nithi Senator Kindiki Kithure, former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama and former Nairobi deputy governor Jonathan Mueke. 

Political formation

 Kindiki said the Kenya Kwanza team does not have a problem with the President’s decision to support Raila.

 Wetang’ula said every Kenyan, including the President, has a right to elect leaders of their choice. 

 Wetangu’la urged Kenyans to rally behind Kenya Kwanza, saying it is the only political formation with a people-centered agenda.  

“If you want challenges facing Kenyans to be addressed, do not follow Raila because he does not know what this country needs,” Wetang’ula said.