Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday took on his successor, William Ruto, and accused him of wasting time hurling insults at him instead of addressing the problems facing Kenyans.
He told Dr Ruto to leave him alone and work for Kenyans who need quality services, even as he reminded the Mt Kenya region that they had gone against his advice in 2022 to elect his former deputy and that they should not repeat the same mistake in 2027.
Speaking at Mugumo Primary School in Kirinyaga County during a funeral service for Mwalimu Jackson Karua, the father of People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, Mr Kenyatta said he was not interested in any political seat and Dr Ruto should stop focusing his attention on him.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka during the burial ceremony of the late Mzee Mwalimu Jackson Karua, father of Martha Wangari Karua, at Mugumo Primary School grounds on Saturday, October 3.
The funeral service brought together key opposition leaders who vowed to send Dr Ruto home.
“They are calling me all manner of names. He is calling me sponsor, rebel leader and drunkard, but I don’t care. He is wasting time fighting me. I did my time, and I am grateful for it and I thank God. I am not his competitor,” he said amid loud applause.
He recalled how in 2022 he warned Mt Kenya region residents against rallying behind Dr Ruto, but they defied him.
“I told our people to back Raila Odinga and Martha Karua, who were capable of transforming the country and doing a good job, but they did not listen. They are now crying,” he said.
However, he told them not to repeat the same mistake in the next polls.
“Making a mistake is okay, but repeating the same mistake is bad. Will you really make the same mistake twice?,” he said in his Gikuyu dialect.
He reminded Dr Ruto that he was satisfied with the years he served as President and the work he did for Kenyans and that he should mind his own business.
“He is insulting me, but he is wasting time with someone who is not looking for any post. If he wants to continue insulting me, let him continue,” he said in reference to Dr Ruto.
Mr Kenyatta asked Dr Ruto to wait for the 2027 General Election, when Kenyans will decide who will be their leader.
The former president accused Dr Ruto of blaming his failures on him after failing to deliver to Kenyans.
He told opposition leaders to take the statement by Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina on unity and a single presidential candidate to face Dr Ruto seriously.
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Ms Maina had told the leaders not to let Kenyans down and to ensure that they lock themselves in a boardroom and come up with a single presidential candidate.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka among a battery of Leaders who attended the burial ceremony of the late Mzee Mwalimu Jackson Karua, father of Martha Wangari Karua (front left), at Mugumo Primary School grounds on Saturday, October 3.
When Mr Kenyatta stood to speak, he asked Ms Maina to come to the podium one more time and repeat her call.
The opposition leaders told Dr Ruto to leave Mr Kenyatta alone even as they vowed to dislodge him from power.
They declared that they would unite and field one presidential candidate to battle it out with Dr Ruto.
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The opposition leaders, Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper Patriotic Front), Fred Matiang’i (Jubilee), Edwin Sifuna (Linda Mwananchi), Justin Muturi (DP), Ndindi Nyoro (People’s Party), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K) and Martha Karua (PLP), accused Ruto of abetting corruption and running down the economy and promised to make him a one-term President.
“Ruto knows he is going home and that is why he is abusing everyone, including Mr Kenyatta. He is clutching at straws,” said Mr Muturi.
Mr Sifuna caused laughter when he said he was best placed to fight it out with Ruto.
“Ruto is branding me a conman, but given a chance, I can easily floor him in a fair political game,” he said.
The opposition leaders said Ruto was sensing defeat and that he was plotting to rig the polls.
They claimed that foreigners were being brought from Uganda and Somalia to rig the polls.
“Voters are being imported from Uganda and Somalia to be used in the polls. Even foreigners are registered as voters. We shall defeat Ruto,” said Wamalwa.
Siaya Governor James Orengo said the Mt Kenya region contributed largely to Dr Ruto’s win in 2022 but now he is doomed.
“Mt Kenya has pulled out from Dr Ruto’s camp and he will definitely lose in the next polls,” said Mr Orengo.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said Kenyans were fed up with Dr Ruto’s leadership and would vote him out.
“Only bewitched people can cast votes in favour of Dr Ruto,” said Mr Owino.
And Ms Karua said the united opposition was determined that there should be a change of the country’s leadership and told Kenyans to be patient.
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