On Friday, October 7, former President Uhuru Kenyatta opted out of the peace talks on the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia.
In a letter, the retired Head of State said he will not be attending AU peace talks scheduled for Saturday, October 8, in South Africa.
“Regrettably, I wish to notify your good office that I will not be able to attend the AU-Convened Peace Talks scheduled for October 8, 2022, in South Africa owing to conflicts in my schedule,” Uhuru said.
As such, Nandi senator Samson Cherargei has advised President William Ruto to fire his predecessor for absconding from his official duties.
Cherargei, a fierce critic of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, said it seems Uhuru is too busy with Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party.
Uhuru is the chairman of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party on whose former Prime Minister Raila Odinga unsuccessfully vied for the country’s top seat in the August 9, elections.
“H.E has declined the peace envoy role for Ethiopia peace talks. It looks like the role of chairmanship of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party opposition role is making him very busy,” senator Cherargei said in a Tweet.
The legislator, a close ally of Kenya’s President William Ruto further proposed ODM leader Raila Odinga be appointed to lead Ethiopia-Tigre mediation in South Africa.
“H.E Ruto should swiftly appoint another eminent Kenyan i.e Raila to this role of peace envoy to Ethiopian Peace talks,” he added.
Uhuru, along with former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, and former South Africa’s Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was set to mediate between the warring Ethiopian government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The two differing parties had already agreed to the peace talks. The team was expected to fly to South Africa on Sunday, October 8, in what would have been Uhuru’s first assignment since handing over power to William Ruto.
