The people want you to remain united, Uhuru tells Opposition leaders

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged the Opposition to remain united and not to let selfish political ambitions divide them.

Uhuru, who joined leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, Fred Matiang'i, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa and Justin Muturi at a funeral, said after “listening to the ground”, Kenyans wanted the Opposition leaders to remain united, adding that the country needed unity for stability, peace and progress.

“A country needs leaders with integrity, principles, and those who are there to serve their people, because serving your people is serving God. Kenyans don’t want leaders driven by selfish political ambitions; they want people who will unite and work for them,” he said in Kirinyaga during the burial of the county’s first Senator, Daniel Karaba, yesterday.

The retired President said his political rapprochement with the late ODM leader Raila Odinga was intended to unite the country so that it could be led by “policies and principles, and not by tribe or by ethnic bitterness and hatred”.

“I urge our politicians to become leaders — that is what the people of Kenya want. They don’t want politicians; they don’t need insults, they want direction. A leader stands for what is just and true. The way to better the country is through justice, honesty and unity.”

At the same time, the Jubilee party leader took a jibe at church leaders “for misleading the electorate” in the 2022 General Election, urging them to concentrate on spiritual nourishment.

“I plead with you, the clergy, not to mislead the people. Christians want spiritual nourishment so that they may see the Kingdom of God through His son, Jesus Christ. Leave earthly issues to the leaders,” he said.

The Church was at the forefront of campaigning for President William Ruto’s election, with some clergy under the banner of Kanisa Kwanza crisscrossing the country, urging Christians to elect Ruto “for the preservation of the Church”.

Gachagua, who spoke before Uhuru, blamed President Ruto for coming between his long-standing friendship with Uhuru, while dismissing claims by some of Ruto’s allies that Uhuru could not work with him.

“They keep saying that Uhuru can’t work with me, but they have no idea who we are. I have been Uhuru’s personal assistant for 20 years; Ruto came between us for only three years. He came with a big Bible and conned me, but we are now wiser,” he said.

“When I blame myself for being misled by Ruto, I remember that even bishops, pastors and reverends were conned. But we have learnt our lessons; nothing will come between the President and us, and we will not manage to divide Mt Kenya West and East.”

He accused President Ruto of dismantling policies put in place by Uhuru, such as the 100 per cent transition from primary to secondary school, and the replacement of the National Hospital Insurance Fund with the Social Health Insurance Fund.

“Schools closed early because there was no money to pay suppliers. Patients are being detained in hospitals due to the SHA (Social Health Authority) irregularities. Nothing is working,” he said.

The Opposition leaders vowed to remain united and produce one presidential candidate to face Ruto in next year’s polls, while hinting at joining the Linda Mwananchi movement led by, among others, Siaya Governor James Orengo, who attended the burial.

“It is the first time I’m seeing Uhuru seated together with Gachagua. It is also the first time Opposition leaders are seated together — all of them. We look forward to sitting with the rest of the Linda Mwananchi leaders,” said Wamalwa.

Orengo said, contrary to perceptions that the President had strong support in Nyanza, the region was opposed to his second term bid.

“Even in regions such as Nyanza and the Coast, the one-term call is gaining ground. He has not implemented any of the promises he made to the Nyanza people. Let us remain steadfast in removing Ruto next year, because Kenya must change — we must have transformation, and for that to happen, Ruto must go,” he said.

The Governor, however, cautioned the Opposition to be wary of Ruto, describing him as a strategic politician, warning they needed to seal loopholes that could allow him to infiltrate and divide them.

“He started by infiltrating the Jubilee Party before proceeding to ODM. We must be alert, and we must also make it difficult for him so that he does not get the chance,” he said.

Kalonzo said the country was experiencing a revolution and urged Uhuru to remain steadfast in exercising his right to political association, even as he claimed the government might use agencies such as the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to intimidate him.

“It’s revolution time. Our children did not die in vain. I know they will come for you — they might even send KRA tomorrow. They never wanted to see this happen. Stand on principle and let them do what they wish. We are determined; this is God’s making. We want to assure you that we shall never look back,” he said.

Karua assured Opposition supporters that they would not be divided, noting that if each of them went to the ballot separately, it would effectively hand Ruto a second term.

“If all of us stand, then it is the same as voting for Ruto. We shall remain united and hand one of us the flag to face the President. We shall have friendly competition in-house, but that will not divide us,” she said.