National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has faulted President Uhuru Kenyatta’s move to back ODM leader Raila Odinga for the country’s top seat come August 9, 2022.
Speaking at the Bomas of Kenya on Sunday during Democratic Party (DP) National Delegates Conference, Muturi said President Kenyatta erred in inviting the opposition leader to the government.
He termed the March 2018 Handshake as a selfish move that was informed by the greed for power beyond 2022.
“Show me anywhere in the world in a functional democracy where a sitting government decides to join forces with the opposition to form another government with complete disregard to their own?” Muturi posed while addressing the Democratic Party delegates at Bomas in Nairobi.
“These are the political bad manners that I am talking about. We must stand for something and not just the pursuit of power,” he said.
Muturi, who was endorsed by his party as flag-bearer, ruled out entering into any pre-election pact with any political outfit ahead of the August 9 elections.
The speaker alleged that he had been approached by the two leading coalitions with the promise of having a position in the next government but declined the offer.
"I am told that the race is now between two candidates and if I am to survive, then I must choose one of the two devils. We do not stand for greed for power but Umoja na Haki for all Kenyans. I ask you Kenyans to join me in this journey because these elections are about the future of this country," Muturi noted.
He called out politicians who have a penchant for party-hopping saying they were taking advantage of parties to advance their selfish political interests.
“Party-hopping has become part of our political culture. Everyone is looking to be in the winning team. Others are being lured by the highest bidders and none of them seems to stand for anything,” Muturi stated.
Muturi vowed to work with the leadership of the Democratic Party and ensure sanity of politics in the country is restored.
He also committed to fighting corruption once elected as president.
The National Delegates Congress also appointed Muturi the party leader, taking over from Joseph Munyao who will now act as the party's patron.
