Ex-Tanzania president Jakaya Kikwete defends Uhuru over his decision to support Raila Odinga
Ex-Tanzania president Jakaya Kikwete defends Uhuru over his decision to support Azimio candidate Raila Odinga for the presidency.
The former Tanzania President said Uhuru has a right to make decisions on who to vote for.
“President Uhuru to involve himself in the elections is okay, he is also Kenyan, he has a right to express his thoughts,” he said.
Kikwete was speaking in Nairobi on Monday, 1, August during the launch of the Election Observation Mission (EOM) to the General Election.
He said that Uhuru has a right in his capacity as a Kenyan citizen to associate politically with whoever he likes.
“Rais Uhuru kujihusisha na uchaguzi ni sawa, ni mkenya na ana haki ila mimi sioni tatizo lolote yeye kuamua kuungana na mtu.”
His remarks came amidst increased calls from DP William Ruto for Uhuru to take a back seat and let him deal with Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
Ex-Tanzania president Jakaya Kikwete arrived in the country on Monday to spearhead the East African Community observer mission in Kenya’s August 9 general election.
The mission comprised of about 52 observers from EAC member states who will be in the country from August 1 to August 12, 2022, to observe the elections.
The mission, he said, will also build on the outcomes of a joint pre-selection assessment that was conducted by the African Union(AU), EAC, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa(Comesa) in July.
Kikwete observed that Kenya has maintained peace during the campaign period.
“So much appreciation to Kenyans for being calm up to this point where the campaigns are at a climax,” Kikwete said.
He urged Kenyans to maintain peace even after the elections.
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