By Bradley Nandasaba, Kakamega
Kenya Kwanza leaders have intensified their criticism of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta following his recent claim that the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga won the last presidential election.
Speaking during a women’s empowerment programme at Mirere Comprehensive School in Matungu Constituency, Kakamega County, the leaders said Uhuru’s remarks were reckless and had the potential to undermine national unity and stability.
Led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, the leaders questioned why Uhuru peacefully handed over power to President William Ruto if he believed Raila had won the election.
“You peacefully handed over the instruments of power to the President. Why did you hand over power to him if you believe he did not win the elections? What kind of person are you?” posed Wetang’ula.
The Speaker claimed that Uhuru’s remarks formed part of efforts to discredit President Ruto and undermine his administration, saying such attempts would not succeed.
Wetang’ula further argued that Uhuru’s sentiments undermined the credibility of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the same institution that declared him winner in the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections.
“Uhuru must respect President Ruto and allow him to discharge the mandate given to him by Kenyans. Why does he want President Ruto to serve only one term when the Head of State propelled him to two terms during his tenure?” he said.
He also urged Uhuru to refrain from active political engagement during retirement.
“You should not be the first retired president to mess up his retirement by engaging in politics that backstabs his successor. Respect the high office that you occupied for 10 years courtesy of the votes of Kenyans,” said Wetang’ula.
The Speaker said the timing of Uhuru’s remarks was unfortunate, arguing that the country needed peace and stability as it moved closer to the next General Election.
Wetang’ula further said Uhuru owed ODM supporters an explanation for failing to secure victory for Raila despite publicly backing his candidature.
“You are not telling ODM supporters why you did not walk with their candidate in your Mt Kenya backyard in search of votes if you genuinely supported him. Address your shortcomings that denied Raila the presidency and keep off President Ruto,” he said.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Senator Vincent Kiprono, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, MPs Emmanuel Wangwe, Innocent Mugabe, Florence Jematiah, David Ndakwa and Oscar Nabulindo, as well as President Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet, also criticised Uhuru and called on him to respect the office of the President.
Cheruiyot claimed that Uhuru had not fully recovered politically from President Ruto’s victory despite enjoying the advantages of incumbency during the 2022 election.
“Uhuru undermined President Ruto when he was his deputy, denied him resources, called him names and used his juniors in government to intimidate him. But his silence paid off as Kenyans elected him as their President,” said Cheruiyot.
He added: “Uhuru must respect the verdict Kenyans gave and move on respectfully. If he dares us, we will hit back strongly.”
Governor Barasa said efforts to undermine the Kenya Kwanza administration would not succeed, adding that the government remained focused on delivering its development agenda.
The leaders also assured President Ruto of the Luhya community’s support and urged him to back Wetang’ula’s presidential ambitions in 2032.
“You have our total support for your second term. In 2032, it will be your turn to rally your community behind Wetang’ula, who is our choice to succeed you,” said Barasa.
The sentiments were echoed by Ndakwa and Nabwera, who said the Luhya community would be ready to pursue the presidency in 2032 with Wetang’ula as its preferred candidate.
The leaders highlighted several ongoing and completed projects undertaken by the Ruto administration in Western Kenya.
The projects include the construction of Level Six hospitals in Kakamega and Bungoma, expansion of the Standard Gauge Railway, the Rironi–Mau Summit–Malaba dual carriageway, revival of the Mumias and Nzoia sugar factories, payment of outstanding dues owed to sugarcane farmers and former Pan Paper Mills workers and the construction of modern markets and stadiums.
They said the projects demonstrated the government’s commitment to transforming the region and were among the reasons they were mobilising support for President Ruto’s re-election bid.
Barasa said the government had invested KSh12 billion in the tarmacking of 200 kilometres of roads in Kakamega County and had established 25 modern markets among other development projects.
He also welcomed the High Court ruling that upheld the legality of the IEBC’s general election tallying centres.
