Ruto-Uhuru allies dismiss calls to unite the two leaders
Ruto-Uhuru allies dismiss calls by the Kikuyu elders to unite the two leaders, saying such is a waste of time
Ruto-Uhuru allies dismiss calls by the Kikuyu elders to unite the two leaders, saying such is a waste of time.
President William Ruto’s allies have voiced their opposition to a new initiative by the Kikuyu Council of Elders for an attempt at a reconciliation between him and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.
The elders’ initiative is supposed to be spearheaded by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
After a falling out following the 2017 General Election, council chairman Wachira Kiago said they aim to bring the two leaders back together.
“Our aim is to end the bitter rivalry and divisions witnessed in the run-up to, and during the last elections, which saw Uhuru back Raila Odinga as his preferred successor. This is also meant to unite the Kikuyu with other communities across the country. These (Ruto and Uhuru) are the first people who should unite as we go ahead with other communities. The new year will be a new dawn for this country,” said Mr Kiago.
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However, both Ruto-Uhuru allies have rejected the elders’ calls saying nsist the energy should instead be directed to the economic recovery of the country.
According to Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe, the residents of the Central region have moved on and recognise DP Gachagua as their new political kingpin.
“Who is Uhuru now when it comes to Mt Kenya? We have moved on and the kingpin of the region is Rigathi Gachagua, hence we have no business with Uhuru Kenyatta now. We never cared about Mwai Kibaki when he left office because that is the Kikuyu nation,” said Mr Kagombe, popularly known as GG.
“Those who are pushing for this reconciliation are Uhuru apologists. They refused to listen to us during the campaigns when we told them that Azimio was not going to win, why should we listen to them now? The elders did not start now.”
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba asked the elders to start by reconciling the Mt Kenya leaders before proceeding to others.
“Before Uhuru broke off with Ruto, he had broken off with his home county political leadership, accusing them of following Ruto. Those mediating should focus on the local political leadership first before reaching out to Ruto. They should also reach out to other Mt Kenya political leaders too,” she said.
Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni, an ally of the former president, has also asked the elders to avoid sideshows, saying the Kenya Kwanza administration should focus on fulfilling its campaign pledges.
“The former president handed over power to Ruto and he has stayed away from the country’s political limelight.
Therefore, Ruto should focus on delivering on his campaign pledges. The reconciliation calls are just sideshows to distract the public from what the government should be doing,” he said.
Mr Kioni disclosed that a section of elders had reached out to him with the reconciliation idea but he insisted that Dr Ruto has to apologise to his former boss.
“Ruto undermined Uhuru, therefore, the so-called reconciliation should only start by Ruto apologising like Uhuru did to Raila in 2018 and opening a new chapter. He (Dr Ruto) peddled a lot of lies about the Jubilee administration with the aim of the public hating Uhuru,” he said.
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