THIS IS BAD: UHURU ISSUES SEVERE WARNING AGAINST VOTING FOR RUTO

President Uhuru Kenyatta has indirectly endorsed ODM chief Raila Odinga and launched a scathing attack on his Deputy William Ruto whom he described as power hungry.

The President in an indirect reference to Ruto, warned Kenyans against electing the DP whom he said is in a hurry to take over the reigns of power.

He said politics is not a sprint but a marathon insisting that Kenyans will be in for a rude shock on the developments in the State House race.

The President said the campaigns of discrimination including age were backward and that leaders should be elected on their intellectual ability.

“People are elected on their intellectual ability, not physical strength. Leadership is the brain, its not a football match,” Uhuru said in apparent defence of his handshake partner.

Raila is 76.

Uhuru praised his handshake deal with Raila saying it stabilised the country.

According to the President, the peace came in handy during the Covid-19 period because despite the difficulty, the country remains stable as it struggles to rebuilt.

“You can start early (campaigns) with speed but before long you are tired and the person you branded old will come at his pace and overtake you,” the President said.

He told Kenyans to take their time when deciding their next President and not fall for populist promises that look appealing.

“I want to urge you to think and don’t be in a hurry, don’t rush. Better you are accused of being slow, but you reach safely at your destination,” he said.

According to Uhuru, the 2022 race requires experience.

“Don’t be in a hurry to be President, be calm you will get there. Don’t be alone ranger to the point of blaming everyone yet you don’t want to work with them,” the President said in apparent reference to his deputy.

“If you become President through life and death, be sure you will never have peace in your leadership and the country will have problems.”

Ruto has been severally accused of engaging in early campaigns alongside a cabal of elected leaders who together they have been crisscrossing the country popularising the hustler narrative as welldisparaging the Head of State.

But yesterday, the tough talking President said Kenyans should not be surprised that those who started early campaigns are overtaken by those who were initially regarded as non-starters.

Recent opinion polls have shown that Ruto remains ahead of his competitors in the 2022 political contest.

In what signalled a man keen on taking firm charge of his succession race, Uhuru announced he will personally hit the ground in campaigns to ensure the country is in safe hands.

“I have nothing to hide; there are no votes I am looking for. All I am looking for is peace and unity for all Kenyans and that is what will help us to ensure all our problems, especially unemployment, is addressed,” the President said.

“It is not yet time for politics but we will come to do politics when that time comes.”

All major politics in the country’s history, he said, always start in Nakuru.

Uhuru spoke in Nakuru during the conferment of Nakuru Municipality city status making it the fourth city after Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu cities.

The ceremony was attended by Raila, Council of Governors chairman and Embu governor Martin Wambora, Nakuru governor Lee Kinyanjui as well as governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), James Ongwae (Kisii), Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Nakuru West MP Samuel Arama.

Other national figures present included Transport CS James Macharia, Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka and Kanu chairman Gideon Moi.

The President narrated how he was blamed for his handshake with the ODM boss that brought to an end the political chaos that followed the 2017 presidential election.

According to the President, the truce with Rail saved the country which at that time had lost in excess of Sh1 trillion due to investors who were fleeing the country.

“No major investor is willing to take his investment to a troubled country, we should not take peace for granted,” Uhuru said.

He further called on Kenyans not to take peace for granted explaining that a government that is rocked with chaos and violence cannot deliver on its promises.

Raila used the opportunity to welcome Kenyans to Nairobi on December 10 where he will formally declare his candidature during the last Azimio La Umoja meeting.

The ODM leader underscored the need for Kenyans to stay united even as the country heads to 2022 elections.

He said it is only through peaceful co-existence that Kenya can make strides and achieve the aspirations of the founding fathers.

“These days I’m promoting Azimio La Umoja which basically aims to bring our people together. Our people need to live in peace and love each other with full realisation that they are Kenyans first before being members of their respective ethnic communities,” Raila said.

“I want to invite you on December 10 to come to Nairobi when we will talk of Azimio La Umoja for all Kenyans.”

Gideon who is also the Baringo senator said Nakuru being home of Kenya’s 42 tribes will vote in one direction in the 2022 elections.

He urged resident to peacefully co-exist and shun leaders inciting them against each other.

“Nakuru being home of all the tribes, let us all remain peaceful and united and we know which route we will take in 2022,” said the Kanu chairman.

In June, senators voted to approve a report by House devolution committee that recommended conferment of city status to Nakuru Municipality.

The committee chaired by Homa Bay senator Moses Kajwang found that Nakuru met all the conditions for elevation.

Yesterday, the President granted a charter to graduate the town to city status.

Source: The Star