Uhuru aims to stay in power, says Ruto

The Kenya Kwanza Alliance claimed yesterday that President Uhuru Kenyatta os scheming to wield power behind the scenes by imposing Raila Odinga on Kenyans in the August 9 polls.

Led by Deputy President William Ruto,   Amani National Congress (ANC) chief  Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula of Ford Kenya, the alliance, without offering any evidence, alleged that Uhuru is the patron of the Raila-inspired Azimio La Umoja movement and that he intends to pick the Orange leader’s running-mate in a power-sharing arrangement.

The three, while addressing their supporters at Luanda town in Vihiga coun, said Uhuru was fronting Raila through Azimio La Umoja as his “Project”.

“The people of Kenya cannot elect a puppet and a project who cannot keep his word. The people of Kenya are bright enough to do what is right for this country,” said Ruto.

He alleged that Raila is being pushed by people who want to rule the country from the background.

Ruto maintained that as Deputy President, he knows the workings of government and will not allow any person to rig elections.

The three said Kenyans are enlightened on “presidential projects” and they will easily reject leaders imposed on them.

“Uhuru plans to remain in power behind the scenes. He is the patron of Azimio and the chairman and he is fronting Raila as the president. He wants to choose the vice-president for Raila so that he remains in command,” claimed Mudavadi.

The Kenya Kwanza Alliance trio appeared alarmed by resolutions made at last week’s Jubilee Parliamentary Group meeting, especially the fact that Uhuru will remain party leader after the August 9 General-Election.

 Fix hustler issues

Jubilee also resolved to fight to ensure it secures majority in both Houses of Parliament and governors so as to maintain its influence after the polls.

Under the controversial Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), it was proposed that the Leader of Majority party becomes Prime minister.

Yesterday, the KKA leaders asked Uhuru to stop managing his own succession and instead allow Kenyans the freedom to elect a leader of their choice.

Ruto said he did not partner with Mudavadi to create positions but to bring unity and peace across the country and play politics of development.

Ruto claimed that Jubilee’s plans for the country were hijacked by the Handshake between Uhuru and Raila.

“We are not fools. All we are saying is that the issues of Kenyans are more important than anything else. We want to fix issues to do with the hustlers. We shall put aside Sh100 billion for the housing and manufacturing sector,” he said.

Ruto attacked Raila and asked him to keep off his programmes he has for the youth and traders and how he plans to set aside government money to uplift different groups once he takes office.

“We shall empower everyone so that we eliminate poverty and ensure every citizen is off the poverty line. This year we shall vote to end poverty,” he said.

Mudavadi narrated how he and Uhuru were rejected by Kenyans in the 2002 election when they were fronted by President Daniel arap Moi, adding that the same “Project” curse would befall the Azimio campaign.

“When Uhuru was fronted in 2002 as the project by the late President Daniel arap Moi, I supported him and we were badly defeated despite being made the vice-president. President Uhuru Kenyatta seems not to have learnt any lessons and he wants to repeat the same mistake by imposing a project president on Kenyans,” said Mudavadi.

Form government

And speaking separately in Nairobi, their rival and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka refuted claims that the One Kenya Alliance had placed conditions and demands to team up with Raila’s Azimio coalition.

Kalonzo said OKA principals cherish integrity and cannot put conditions on other people in order to work with them.

He said OKA was growing strong and welcomed other political formations to join the movement.

There has been pressure from many leaders and groups for the OKA team to join hands with Azimio to guarantee a round one victory against Kenya Kwanza formation but Kalonzo,  Kanu chairman  Gideon Moi, UDM’s Cyrus Jirongo and Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua have been adamant that if anything other formations should join OKA

Kalonzo urged Kenyans to elect leaders of integrity who will protect their wealth. 

The Wiper leader spoke at the Redeemed Gospel Church in Huruma, Nairobi, where he attended Sunday service accompanied by a number of politicians.

In Vihiga,  Mudavadi alleged plot by President Uhuru to hoodwink a section of Luhya leaders by giving them cabinet slots to win their support

He called on the public to do a ‘six-piece’ vote in favour of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance candidates come August.

Mudavadi sought to explain why he ditched the One Kenya Alliance and joined hands with Ruto’s UDA camp.

The ANC boss said his party’s economic model of Uchumi Bora, Pesa Mfukoni and Ruto’s Bottom Up model are meant to lift the lives of the down trodden and building the economy.

He added that his wish is not to be in government but form the government and rebuild the economy.

“Others were courting me with a promise of being in government, but I want to tell them that I have been in government before but I now want to form government. I ask you to help us form the government and change the fortunes of this country,” said Mudavadi at a rally in Luanda.

He added: “ I have stood with Raila for many years. I am tired now. Very tired to continue supporting Raila. To show that I am tired, there is only one way to show it. On August 9, I want us all to come and vote against any person who does not have the Kenya Kwanza ticket.”

Senator Wetangula said the Kenya Kwanza administration will provide affordable education from nursery to secondary with the poor getting free education.

Divide western vote

Wetangula said  Raila cannot be trusted with the leadership of the country.

Wetangula took issue with Cotu boss Francis Atwoli and accused him of buying out MPs and taking them to Raila, adding that voters cannot be bought.

“We want to tell Raila that he has our debt but we want to remind him that the Luhya nation is not interested in the debt any more,” he said.

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala urged Uhuru to leave Kenyans to decide on their next leader.

He told the youth to take up voting cards and prepare to participate in the August 9 elections.

He alleged that the State was pushing for formation of many political parties in the Mulembe nation with the aim of dividing the western vote.

“I want to state that these parties that are formed are State funded to divide the Luhya vote and ensure Raila gets the vote. Azimio La Umoja is an extension of the ODM party,” he said.