Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta will be standing down in August after serving two terms in office.
The Constitution of Kenya 2010 limits a president to two terms, which means the Jubilee Party leader cannot stand for election again this year.
Deputy President William Ruto of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance and Azimo la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition party presidential candidate Raila Odinga are among those hoping to succeed him.
While the 2022 presidential front runner Willia Ruto was expecting the Head of State to return the 2013 and 2017 favors by supporting his presidential bid, Uhuru has publicly endorsed his long-term political foe, Raila Odinga.
Speaking in Nairobi on Tuesday, July 12, when he commissioned projects, the first in command said he will not hand over power to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential flag bearer William Ruto.
Uhuru said he will hand over the button to none other than his handshake partner Raila Amollo Odinga.
“Na ninawaomba nyinyi kwa heshima …yule ambaye mimi nitapatia aendelee naye iwe sio mwingine isipokuwa Raila Amollo Odinga (And I respectfully ask you… the one I will give to continue to be none other than Raila Amollo Odinga),” President Uhuru said.
Uhuru further hit out at his estranged deputy over remarks that he should only focus on his retirement ahead of the August 9, presidential election.
While drumming up support for the former Premier, he would discharge his duties as per the constitution until his last minute in office.
“Every day when they talk at rallies it is Uhuru yet I won’t be on the ballot. I am not looking for votes. They are telling me to finish and go, where do they want me to go? I will do my job until the last minute.”
