•Nyoro said that he is demanding an apology from the conveners of the meeting.
•He said that while Kiambu has no problem with anyone coming to the county to sell their agenda.
Kiambu Governor James Nyoro has condemned Deputy President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza leaders over attacks he alleges were directed to President Uhuru Kenyatta at a Thika meeting.
Nyoro said that Ruto’s brigade has disregarded Uhuru and undermined his office, which should be respected despite the political heat that is rising in the country ahead of the August 9 general elections.
His sentiments came after Kiambu residents held demonstrations in various parts of the county, including Kiambu, Thika, Kikuyu and Githurai on Monday.
Nyoro said that he is demanding an apology from the conveners of the meeting that had been conveyed by the DP on Sunday, adding that the agenda was not explicit but ended up as a forum for hurling insults at the president.
“I want to record my utter dismay at the blatant disregard for protocol and complete disrespect for the Head of State, the people of Kiambu and Kenya at large by politicians who addressed the meeting,” he said.
“Consequently, we record our unequivocal displeasure at the happenings at the meeting and demand that those who insulted the president come out publicly to apologize to him and the people of Kenya.”
Those who attended and addressed the meeting were among the major competitors for the governor seat, including former Governor William Kabogo, Senator Kimani Wamatangi, Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria, Thika MP Jungle Wainaina, Kiambu Speaker Stephen Ndicho and former Governor Ferdinand Waititu, among others.
“Whereas we appreciate the freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution and the unfettered liberty to campaign anywhere in the country, we are greatly perturbed by the display of arrogance, obnoxious behaviour and distasteful comments made by the so-called leaders in the presence of none other than the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya William Ruto,” said Nyoro.
He said that while Kiambu has no problem with anyone coming to the county to recruit members, sell their agenda, strategies or do anything that relates to popularizing their parties, the meeting was specifically aimed at undermining Uhuru.
“The main agenda was to hurl insults at the president at his backyard and some of the statements were also meant to demean members of the President’s family. Unfortunately, this unbecoming agenda was driven by politicians who hail from Kiambu and others who purport to come from the county,” he said.
He said the people of Kiambu are very disturbed by the offensive statements made, and while one may not like the president as a person, he remains the president of the Republic of Kenya.
“Everyone must respect him, and if they have any issue with him, there are forums where these issues can be raised with decorum. I would request our people to disregard the statements,” he said.
Most of the leaders, including the governor aspirants, allegedly condemned the president for not showing ‘leadership’ and taking sides to support ODM leader Raila Odinga to succeed him.
Nyoro said the leaders are trying to redeem themselves after the people rejected them over poor leadership.
“Any meeting meant to demean and/or insult the president or any other elected leader shall not be allowed to take place in Kiambu,” Nyoro vowed.
He said that the fallen governors and the aspiring ones attended the meeting to try and redeem themselves by nit-picking at Uhuru’s leadership.
He added that none of the leaders could fit in the shoes to replace him as Mt. Kenya as the spokesperson.
“They can’t tell us who is in a position to replace him (Uhuru) as the spokesman of the mountain. These people must be told that the people of the mountain are intelligent enough to choose their leaders,” he said.
The governor urged leaders to talk about their development track records and what they have done or intend to do for Kenyans if elected.“Let’s seek votes in humility and not arrogance and empty swagger,” said Nyoro.
Meanwhile, the governor has praised Uhuru, saying that over the last nine years, he started several development projects in the country.
He said in Kiambu, new roads projects, including the bypasses of sections of Mau Mau roads, had been constructed.
Others projects are; Kikuyu, Thika, Limuru, Gathurai and Ruiru markets that have enabled people to trade in better environments, and for the first time since independence, the Kirigiti Stadium is being constructed and is near completion.