Uhuru, Azimio chiefs reunite in aggressive pushback against Ruto

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has re-united with the opposition in forging a united front against President William Ruto as the former head of state declared he would not hang his political boots just yet.

In a show of solidarity, the Azimio battalion led by Raila Odinga joined Uhuru at the Jubilee Party National Delegates Conference where Ruto and his administration came under heavy political artillery.

It was the first time the Azimio political bigwigs appeared in public together after Ruto defeated them in the August 9 general election. 

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, his Narc Kenya counterpart Martha Karua and a host of opposition top dogs also attended the NDC at Nairobi's Ngong Racecourse.

A tough talking Uhuru said his adversaries were mistaken to believe that he could be arm-twisted into submission.

“Look for someone else, not Uhuru,” he said to a thunderous applause, vowing to continue leading the party until members ask him to step down.

Speaking for the first time about the raid and looting at his family farm, the former President stressed that his commitment to peace should not be mistaken for cowardice.

Uhuru also used the NDC, the party's top decision making organ, to engineer a radical purge of dissidents sympathetic to Ruto and announced the expulsion of 11 officials, including party chairman Nelson Dzuya.

Raila revisited Ruto's election, terming it a monumental fraud.

Thanking the Jubilee membership for voting for him in the last election, Raila said Ruto “lies” on the campaign trail have continued in State House.

“I urge you not to give up on that dream of a regime governed by empathy for citizens and accountability as opposed to the lies the Kenya Kwanza sold and continues to sell,” he said. 

The opposition bigwigs pledged to defend the Uhuru from political intimidation.

Ruto camp has been pushing for Uhuru's retirement from politics and have even sponsored a motion in Parliament to terminate his retirement benefits.

President Ruto's men in Parliament have taken to the House a motion to terminate the former head of state's presidential benefits over continued involvement in  party politics.

Uhuru's own Gatundu South lawmaker Gabriel Kagombe insist taxpayers’ money cannot be used to fuel havoc in the country, in reference to the anti-government demos.

He warned anyone thinking of using blackmail to force him to retirement to think twice.

Addressing Jubilee delegates, Uhuru said has weathered enough insults and intimidation from the current regime hell-bent in taking over his Jubilee and ground him politically.

He cited the recent invasion of his family farm, stealing of his sheep at Northlands farm and the raid in his party as some of the blackmail employed by his successor to cow him.

"We handed over power peacefully but even then they abused me, I kept quiet for them to exercise their right. What has been going on are abuses and theft of sheep and land, thinking that they will intimidate me," he said.

Raila called for respect to the former head of state, terming Uhuru’s harassment by the state as uncouth and shameful.

“I must commend my brother and our fourth president for the dignity and decorum with which he has borne the insults and abuses for the sake of the stability of the nation, the peaceful co-existence of Kenyans and the dignity of Kenya’s presidency. I personally thank Uhuru for choosing to fly high when they have hit an extreme lo,” he said. 

“I call for respect for retired leaders not because Uhuru is with us in Azimio. I say it because it is what I believe. It is what civilised people should do and believe. It is what happens in civilised nations.”

On Monday the Azimio brigade dismissed the threats to withdraw the benefits, saying the 2010 Constitution does not strip a retired President the right to engage in politics including holding political party office.

Kalonzo, citing Article 38 of the Constitution, said political rights are ring fenced by the current constitution and no one can be deprived of that express provision of the law.

“Under Article 38 there are certain inalienable rights. You cannot touch political rights of any person,” he said. 

The Azimio parties leaders also reaffirmed their resolve to realise Azimio dream, including reviving the Building Bridges Initiative is on.

“Jubilee joined forces with others and agreed to take a position, that position is still valid unless decided otherwise by you people,” Uhuru said.

“We still want BBI to happen and we are still pushing for the same.”

Addressing Jubilee delegates, Raila said the Azimio dream has not died and they will continue pointing to the excesses of the Kenya Kwanza administration as well as fight for the reduction of high cost of living.

“That is why we have agreed to give dialogue a chance. We embraced the talks to secure a good deal for Kenyans and if the deal will not be forthcoming, Kenyans can be sure we will not pursue vain dialogue,” the ODM chief said. 

The leaders also threatened to withdraw from the ongoing talks should the President continue with wooing opposition MPs to his camp and weakening the Azimio political parties.

Karua said the ongoing talks will be meaningless if the ruling party continue raiding political parties within Azimio.

“He (Ruto) is trying to get super majority so that he can tinker with the constitution, this is great assault on democracy,” Karua said. 

According to Raila, Kenya Kwanza obsession with the numbers is part of the broader scheme to achieve super majority to enable the President railroad constitutional amendments including removal of presidential term limits.

“The end game is for Kenya Kwanza in its schemes against Jubilee is to give itself a super majority in parliament that will enable it to amend the constitution towards its desired goals, including possible removal of presidential term limits.”

The Azimio bosses will this Friday converge at Yatta in Machakos county for a town hall meeting convened by the Wiper leader.