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The Nairobian

Uhuru Kenyatta: I hold no grudges and ill will against anybody

Politics

By Ndung’u Gachane | Oct 27, 2024

**Former President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives at Ivory Coast ahead of AU event.** [Courtesy, Office of Former President]

Former president Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday said a special prayer for his motherland even as he celebrated his 63rd birthday, urging Kenyans to pray for peace and unity as the country goes through what some analysts describe as a constitutional crisis.

At the same time, Uhuru said he was praying for peace and unity in the country adding that would be the only way the country would prosper.

The former head of state who was responding to a call by Muthoni Kirumba of Kameme FM to wish him a happy birthday, listened keenly as the broadcaster informed him that Kenyans were seeking his forgiveness for the shabby treatment after his retirement.

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" Wuuii, Asante" Uhuru responded when told that those who had wronged him now wanted his forgiveness, adding, “I hold no grudges or ill will against any Kenyan.”

This was the first time Uhuru came out in public after the controversy that rocked the government and saw Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua impeached. At some point, anxiety gripped the country after fake reports started circulating that the fourth president of Kenya was critically ill

Uhuru said in the brief interview that he was well and that his birthday coincided with a meeting he is attending in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in an event by the African Union.

He is attending the 15th High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security, and Stability in Africa.

"The retreat will focus on the Impact and Sustainability of AU Preventive Diplomacy and Mediation in addressing conflicts across the continent," a post on Uhuru’s official X page read.

Yesterday traders from Nyeri county cut a cake in Nyeri town to celebrate Uhuru’s birthday.

“We are excited to learn that our leader is healthy and jovial, we contributed amongst ourselves to celebrate him as a visionary man who understood politics more than us in the 2022 general elections,” one trader said yesterday.

Another trader identified as Purity Nyawira said ‘Based on the unfolding of the political events that includes Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s ouster, we now understand that Uhuru tolerated his rivals more than the current crop of leaders.”

They said despite the public embarrassment and humiliation Uhuru underwent, he was resilient and calm.

Similar celebrations were held last year in various towns of Nyeri, Muranga, Kiambu and Nyandarua counties where local’s majority traders cried to Uhuru and apologized for failing to adhere to his instructions on voting Azimio leader Raila Odinga against President William Ruto.

Last year, Uhuru also held a phone conversation with Kameme FM where he urged Kenyans to pray for the country,

"Let us continue maintaining peace and praying for our country which will also turn 60 years soon," the former President said even as he requested 'I Got You Babe' by UB40.

Social media platforms were abuzz with birthday wishes to the retired President with some users reflecting on his usual entry remarks 'My fellow Kenyans' whenever he addressed the nation with many claiming he will remain to be missed by man.