The mudslinging continues.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has described his deputy William Ruto as a man forever propelled by selfish interests and thus unfit to lead.
Uhuru spoke on Wednesday when he visited Kisii to campaign for Azimio leader Raila Odinga at the State Lodge.
He said Ruto's propensity for corruption makes him the wrong choice to be the head of state.
"You can start a journey with a friend and mean well for them. But midway when you look back and find the seats ripped off, passengers kicked out and robbed and tyres punctured.
"And instead of the friend helping you to carry out repairs, he disappears. What can you do?" Uhuru asked.
"A journey where travellers have no trust for each other must be abandoned and that is exactly what I did."
He said Ruto bears the blame for the collapse of their friendship adding that he has no apology to make for backing Raila.
"It had been a relationship full of betrayal, dishonesty and utmost disloyalty by my friend. I hope you understand what I mean," Uhuru said.
The head of state said he had been a man given to great tolerance, which his enemies have capitalised on, poured vitriol and abuse on.
The President said juggling who to succeed him had been one of the most delicate political assignments, saying the person he had early vowed to back turned into a thief.
Only a fool never changes his heart as my deputy once said, Uhuru stated.
You can start a journey with a friend and mean well for them. But midway you look back and find seats ripped off, passengers kicked out and robbed and tyres punctured. Instead of the friend helping you to carry out repairs, he disappears
"This is exactly what I have done by identifying Raila to steer this country forward," the President said.
He put forward a vehement defence of his development record.
He said he has achieved more after the handshake than he did with Ruto.
Only after the handshake did he initiate serious conversations about the need for inclusiveness and parity that gave rise to the BBI.
The BBI, he said, was all about the mwananchi and had no inherent malice as detractors had been saying.
"There is absolutely nothing wrong when each community would have a piece of the national cake in the spirit of inclusivity. That was what we wanted to address through that document but someone went round peddling untruths." Uhuru said.
He especially cited disparities in resource allocation under the current administrative structure, which the BBI was to address.
The President said his support for Raila is about the principles of integrity and purpose that he had all along espoused in his long political odyssey.
"I implore you that we support him, he is all that is needed to move this country forward,"stated Uhuru.
He however said his victory in the elections Tuesday next will be a product of a united effort.
His choice of Raila, he said, was born out of the need to embrace diversity for the common good of the country's destiny
He thanked the Gusii community for standing with him as he navigated the delicate times in the country's history.
The function at State Lodge was attended by Governor Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira) and James Ongwae (Kisii).
Others were Senator Sam Ongeri, Chris Obure and Interior CS Fred Matiang'i among others. Matiang'i thanked the President for the trust he put in him to handle sensitive dockets.
On Tuesday evening, Uhuru rallied Luhya leaders to aggressively mobilise voters for Raila during a strategy meeting at Kakamega State Lodge.
The leaders included Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa and all the three Azimio-affiliated governors – Kakamega’s Wycliffe Oparanya, Vihiga’s Wilber Ottichilo and Busia’s Sospeter Ojaamong.
Sitting MPs supporting Azimio and candidates running for various on the coalition’s parties’ tickets also attended.
They included Peter Nabulindo (Matungu), Tindi Mwale (Butere), Ayub Savula (Lugari), Elsie Muhanda (Kakamega), John Waluke (Sirisia), Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren) and Wafula Wamunyinyi (Kanduyi).
Sources at the meeting disclosed the head of state pledged to support them to rally the voters to turn out in large numbers to vote for the ODM leader.
“The message was clear, we go out and mobilise for Baba. We told him the challenges and he promised to help whenever possible,” an MP told the Star.
“He told us to look for ways of ensuring people come out to vote. That was the key message and he was very keen on it,” the legislator said.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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