Mudavadi hits out at Uhuru for backing Raila

ANC party leader has castigated President Uhuru Kenyatta for appearing to ask Kenyans to back the candidature of his handshake partner and ODM leader Raila Odinga in the 2022 race.

Mudavadi further appeared to come to the defence of Deputy President William Ruto, whom the Head of State accused of moving too fast on his presidential ambitions.

“We do not want anybody, even at the lowest level, to feel intimidated when making their 2022 choices,” Mudavadi said.

The ANC party leader also warned against intimidating officials of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

“The genesis of tensions in the country has always been botched elections,” he said.

Mudavadi made the remarks on Thursday, while launching the party's revamped digital platforms and unveiling of the youth charter at ANC headquarters in Nairobi.

Uhuru on Thursday indirectly endorsed Raila and launched a scathing attack on Ruto, whom he described as power hungry.

The President in an indirect reference to Ruto, warned Kenyans against electing the DP, whom he said is in a hurry to take over the reins of power.

He said politics is not a sprint but a marathon insisting that Kenyans will be in for a rude shock on the developments in the State House race.

The President said the campaigns of discrimination including age were backward and that leaders should be elected on their intellectual ability.

"People are elected on their intellectual ability, not physical strength. Leadership is the brain, its not a football match," Uhuru said in apparent defence of his handshake partner.

Raila is 76. 

Uhuru praised his handshake deal with Raila saying it stabilised the country.

According to the President, the peace came in handy during the Covid-19 period because despite the difficulty, the country remains stable as it struggles to rebuilt.

“You can start early (campaigns) with speed but before long you are tired and the person you branded old will come at his pace and overtake you,” the President said.

He told Kenyans to take their time when deciding their next President and not fall for populist promises that look appealing.

“I want to urge you to think and don’t be in a hurry, don’t rush. Better you are accused of being slow, but you reach safely at your destination,” he said.

According to Uhuru, the 2022 race requires experience.

“Don’t be in a hurry to be President, be calm you will get there. Don’t be alone ranger to the point of blaming everyone yet you don’t want to work with them,” the President said in apparent reference to his deputy.

“If you become President through life and death, be sure you will never have peace in your leadership and the country will have problems.”

Ruto has been severally accused of engaging in early campaigns alongside a cabal of elected leaders who together they have been crisscrossing the country popularising the hustler narrative as well disparaging the Head of State.

But yesterday, the tough talking President said Kenyans should not be surprised that those who started early campaigns are overtaken by those who were initially regarded as non-starters.

Recent opinion polls have shown that Ruto remains ahead of his competitors in the 2022 political contest.

In what signalled a man keen on taking firm charge of his succession race, Uhuru announced he will personally hit the ground in campaigns to ensure the country is in safe hands.

“I have nothing to hide; there are no votes I am looking for. All I am looking for is peace and unity for all Kenyans and that is what will help us to ensure all our problems, especially unemployment, is addressed,” the President said.

“It is not yet time for politics but we will come to do politics when that time comes.”

All major politics in the country’s history, he said, always start in Nakuru.

Uhuru spoke in Nakuru during the conferment of Nakuru Municipality city status making it the fourth city after Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu cities.

The ceremony was attended by Raila, Council of Governors chairman and Embu governor Martin Wambora, Nakuru governor Lee Kinyanjui as well as governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua), James Ongwae (Kisii), Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) and Nakuru West MP Samuel Arama.