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JOSEPH MATHAI: Uhuru still leading the handshake troops

President at the forefront crafting the future coalition between ODM, Jubilee.

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by LUKE AWICH

News24 August 2021 - 02:00
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In Summary


  • It is still going to be the President who will champion Raila’s campaign in Central.
  • Leaders fearing for their careers should know it's not about what the President will do but about how they have performed over five years.
Joseph Mathai, Jubilee director in charge of Kiambu and Murang'a counties.

It is not correct to even insinuate that President Uhuru Kenyatta has not been at the forefront with ODM leader Raila Odinga.

The genesis of that conversation itself is the famous handshake, and the benefits the handshake has brought in terms of cooling temperatures in this country.

The handshake dividends have translated into benefits for traders who previously used to close their shops and to the people in feeling a sense of belonging.

As if that was not enough, the President is at the forefront in terms of crafting the future coalition between ODM and the ruling Jubilee Party.

This is a journey that started three years ago and I fear most of those people expressing such sentiments do not even believe in the direction the President has taken.

It is still going to be the President who will champion that [leading Raila’s campaign in Central]. You remember some people feared the eventuality that the President could endorse ‘Tinga’. It was even said behind the scenes that the President was playing the former prime minister.

These leaders fearing for their careers should be reminded it is not about what the President is going to do up there, but about how they have performed for the last five years.

Most of them are afraid and looking for something to blame.

The President as the kingpin of the region has many people who look up to him. The same way he brought the Deputy President to the region after the post-election debacle, even when there were so many misgivings at that time.

The President sold the fact we needed to unite with the Rift Valley.

In 2018, he said a good idea always gives way to a better idea, which was to bring in Tinga and later on Kalonzo Musoka and Musalia Mudadavi.

People are just reducing these things to politics but I think it is one thing that even the world is embracing.

People should focus on their ground because re-election chances in our counties are very slim.

Jubilee's regional coordinator for Kiambu and Murang’a counties spoke to the Star

(Edited by V. Graham)

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