President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on former National Super Alliance co-principals to unite against his deputy William Ruto or forget winning the country’s presidency in next year’s General Election.
The Head of State on Tuesday, August 10, held a three-hour meeting with opposition chiefs Raila Odinga (ODM), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), and Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) where he is said to have persuaded them leaders to forge a working relationship that will encompass ODM, One Kenya Alliance, and Jubilee party.
Kivumbi.co.ke understands that an insider who requested not to be mentioned said Uhuru’s main agenda was to persuade other opposition chiefs to support his handshake partner Raila Odinga as he crafts a broad-based political machine to face Deputy President William Ruto ahead of next year’s presidential elections.
“The brief I have is the discussions were around the 2022 succession and the President opened up his heart on why he wants the principals to unite and work as a team,” the source said as quoted by the Star.
The opposition leaders except Gideon Moi worked together in the last General Election under the National Super Alliance (NASA) with Raila Odinga being their flag bearer deputised by Kalonzo Musyoka.
But last month, the principals jointly signed to officially kill the once most powerful coalition after Wiper, ANC, and Ford Kenya party leaders accused their ODM partner of dishonesty.
Yesterday, the President cautioned the five party leaders to avoid public antagonism as witnessed recently and focus on building trust amongst themselves.
Kivumbi.co.ke understands that efforts by the President to broker a 2022 deal with the opposition leaders failed to materialise.
It is clear that the relationship between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto has deteriorated to a point that has prompted the Head of State to form a coalition to defeat his deputy in the 2022 polls.
