Allies of President William Ruto have called on retired President Uhuru Kenyatta to support the Head of State’s second-term bid.
Speaking alongside Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, nominated MP Joseph Wainaina and former CS Moses Kuria, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi said Uhuru should support President Ruto and allow him to serve two terms.
“Kenyans know very well that Ruto strongly supported Uhuru to be president for 10 years," Sudi said.
"Ruto worked so hard to ensure Uhuru won the presidency, and we are surprised that Uhuru has turned against the same person who was very supportive at that time.”
The Kapseret MP dismissed calls for Ruto to serve only one term, insisting that such efforts would not succeed.
“There is nothing like one term. It cannot happen. Kenyans will make sure we have enough votes to ensure Ruto serves his two terms,” he said.
The leaders spoke in Kondoo, near Burnt Forest in Uasin Gishu county, during a thanksgiving ceremony and the installation of Paul Gathuo as Archbishop of the Akorino Church.
Gathuo recently led a delegation of church members who were hosted at State House.
Kesses MP Julius Ruto and former Kesses MP Swarup Mishra were present.
On their part, Wainaina and Governor Bii urged Uhuru to support government efforts aimed at promoting national unity.
They said Kenyans should support President Ruto, whom they said had delivered on most of his promises, and called for unity and peace ahead of next year’s general election.
Former CS Moses Kuria urged leaders to tone down attacks on Uhuru Kenyatta and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying efforts were underway to engage them in support of national unity.
“Don’t worry about Uhuru and even Gachagua. We will engage them. I know even Gachagua is not a bad person, and we will talk to both of them to calm down and support Ruto,” Kuria said.
He said Uhuru and Ruto had previously worked together to promote peace and reconciliation after the 2007–2008 post-election violence, adding that unity should be safeguarded.
“I remember it was difficult to work for peace at that time, but Uhuru and Ruto worked hard to unite our people, and we will ensure the two work together as we move forward,” he said.
Archbishop Gathuo said he would use his position to promote peace and urged political leaders to prioritise unity and harmony ahead of next year’s elections.
