Kenya Kwanza leaders have called on former President Uhuru Kenyatta to disassociate himself from the Azimio demonstrations and plans to collect 10 million signatures to 'remove' President William Ruto from office.
The leaders led by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, Ministry of Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and a host of MPs said the former head of state should not be part of any scheme to destabilise the government.
They spoke on Sunday at Gatundu stadium during a thanksgiving ceremony for artiste Ngaruiya Junior, who played a role during UDA campaigns across Mt Kenya region and helped most leaders in their campaigns through his mastery of compelling hits.
Governor Mbarire said Uhuru should follow the footsteps of his predecessor, Mwai Kibaki, and support the current regime to spur growth and development in the country for the sake of Kenyans.
“We have been friends with the former president for many years, and because today I am at his home, I want to plead with him to desist from engaging in any way in the demonstrations that will only destabilise the country’s economy,” Mbarire said.
Kuria said leaders allied to the current regime will defend it by all means, noting that the opposition leaders are just belittling President Ruto with their attempts to overthrow his government.
“Even if the signatures are collected, Ruto’s government will remain unmoved and we will defend it at all costs,” Kuria said.
The leaders also called on youths across the country to desist from being misused by Azimio in their demonstrations to cause mayhem.
East African Legislative Assembly MP Maina Karobia said the violent demonstrations have already claimed lives of six innocent youths in Kisumu and Kisii and left a trail of destruction.
He said instead, youths should engage in activities that will improve their lives instead of being misused to cause turmoil in the country.
“Youths in the country are only concerned in development and creation of jobs so that they can get employment opportunities and lead decent lives. We are worried with the trend of some politicians misusing youths in demonstrations to satisfy their selfish political ends. This trend is coming to an end,” Karobia said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Kiambu Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha who said youths in the region are banking on the Industrial parks set to be put up across the region as they will create numerous job opportunities for them.
“Our youths are no longer interested in demonstrations because they have high hopes with the Kenya Kwanza government on industrialisation of the nation which will in turn create jobs for them. These acts of intimidating and distracting the government from delivering on its promises to Kenyans should be condemned with the strongest terms possible,” Wamuratha said.
Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe called on Azimio leaders to give the Kenya Kwanza leadership time and space to work for the country, adding that they should wait until 2027 to try their luck to lead the country.
Other leaders present included MPs Peter Kihungi (Kangema), John Njuguna (Kiambaa), John Kaguchia (Mukurweini), Kanini Kega (EALA) and Edward Muriu ( Gatanga).
Others are Senators Karungo Thangwa (Kiambu) and John Methu (Nyandarua) and Sabina Chege (nominated).