Ruto explains why he appointed Uhuru as peace envoy

President William Ruto has explained why he appointed his predecessor President Uhuru Kenyatta as peace envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.

The first in command who was speaking during an interview with Al Jazeera affirmed that he was confident that the former president was up to the task and would bring value to the region.

He also justified that he appointed Uhuru because he was positive that the former Head of State would discharge his duties despite them not seeing eye to eye.

While underscoring that his rift with Uhuru was only political, Ruto reiterated that he had nothing against the former head of state.

“I am the big brother now, it is in my place to work with him. I think it is the right thing to do, and I will not allow negative energy to be built around our country. I believe Uhuru Kenyatta can bring value to the region,” Ruto stated.

“It was a competition. President Kenyatta had a candidate and he did not win, I beat his candidate…that is a democratic process which is behind us and we have a country to govern and a region to look after,”

The former Deputy President further maintained that his administration was committed to fostering peace and stability throughout the East African region.

Ruto gives Uhuru job

Ruto appointed Uhuru as his peace envoy for the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa shortly after he was sworn in as the country’s fifth president.

The head of state while addressing the nation after taking the oath of office revealed that retired President Kenyatta would be steering peace initiatives in the region.

The President noted that his predecessor had done a commendable job steering peace initiatives, especially in the neighbouring country of Ethiopia which was affected by a bloody conflict in November 2020 after Tigray rebels attacked government soldiers.

Ruto said he requested Uhuru to be Kenya’s peace envoy in the region, a mandate that his predecessor gladly accepted.

“On the peace initiatives in our region including both in Ethiopia and Great Lakes Region, I have asked my elder brother President Uhuru Kenyatta who has done commendable engagement with those regions and he has graciously agreed to continue chairing those discussions on behalf of the people of Kenya,” Ruto said.

Ruto to support Uhuru’s peace initiatives

The President further asserted that his new government will work with the retired President to support the peace initiatives that he has been tasked with.

“I have committed that the government of Kenya and myself, in particular, will support those initiatives that will be chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta. And I want to thank you for graciously agreeing to support us and to help me in those interventions,” Ruto added.

“I have asked my elder brother Uhuru Kenyatta who has done a commendable job in those regions, and he has graciously agreed to continue chairing those discussions on behalf of the people of Kenya,” Ruto stated during his inauguration speech at Kasarani stadium on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

He pledged to fully support Uhuru’s peace endeavours adding that Kenya will continue playing its role in international diplomacy at the bilateral and multilateral levels.