Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has cautioned Western Kenya politicians from supporting Deputy President William Ruto in his quest to the statehouse.
Speaking to a delegation of western Kenya leaders on Tuesday, January 25, at the statehouse, the first in command told the leaders that Kenya would only be safe in the hands of ODM leader Raila Odinga.
While state house spokesperson Kanze Dena Mararo said the meeting was basically to assure the Western region of the Government’s commitment to ensure all ongoing development projects in the populous region are completed as scheduled, it is reported that the 2022 succession politics took center stage.
The source, who sought anonymity because he is not authorized to discuss details of the meeting with the press, said the President promised to reach out to the Western supremos and persuade them to rescind their decision and support ODM leader Raila Odinga’s presidential bid.
Confirmed sources claim that the political implication of the meeting was to try and neutralize Mudavadi and Wetang’ula perceived influence in the vote-rich Western region.
“Ni kupotea wamepotea. Wakenya watakuwa kwa mikono mizuri chini ya uongozi wa Raila kuliko hao watu wengine wanaowakimbilia (They have gone astray because they would have benefitted more if they agreed to work with Raila. Kenyans will be safer under a Raila presidency than the other people they are rushing to),” Uhuru told the delegation.
While drumming up support for his handshake partner, the first in command who has fallen out with his deputy further said he will tell Kenyans why they need to consider vouching for a Raila presidency.
Uhuru said he would not tire from trying to persuade Mudavadi and Wetang’ula to change their decision to support the William Ruto adding that those dismissing his preference for the ODM chief would come to regret when it would be too late.
“I am not a mad man to wake up one day and settle on a man whom I have hated almost all my life and bypass my own deputy. Do you people think I arrived at the decision without soul-searching? I have my reasons that I will soon tell Kenyans, but at an appropriate time,” the President is reported to have told the delegation.
