The message, do not make the same mistake you did in 2022 by re-electing President William Ruto in 2027.
It is political déjà vu, a striking return to a familiar script, one that played out in the bruising 2022 election, when Uhuru and Ruto, once political allies, found themselves on opposite sides of Kenya’s fiercest political divide.
In a cheeky political message in support of the opposition push to make his predecessor a one-term President, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta did not mince his words as he embraced the ‘WANTAM’ anthem.
But first, he reminded Mount Kenya voters just how ignoring his advice cost them what he described as good leadership back in 2022.
“I am happy, even after you people refused to listen to me. That is upon you. When I told you, you were making the wrong decision, you all thought you knew better. I knew that if the Old Man, late Raila Odinga, and your daughter, Martha Karua, united, Kenya would have made great progress,” Uhuru said.
Kenyatta said it would only be a problem if the mistake made was repeated, hinting that 2027 presents Kenyans with an opportunity to make a correction.
“A mistake is not a mistake unless it is repeated. Kirinyaga residents, will you make the same mistake? Kirinyaga residents, will you repeat the mistake? Let me see by a show of hands, so that they don’t accuse me of saying this. Sasa sijui ni makosa gani mlifanya, lakini kama nyinyi wenyewe mnajua, sasa si ni shauri yenu, ama nimesema aje?” Uhuru said.
Hitting back at those labelling him a sponsor of the opposition outfit, the retired President told the Kenya Kwanza administration to allow Kenyans to elect a leader of their choice, one focused on delivering promises rather than trading insults.
“Hata wakinitukana, wananiita sponsor, rebel leader, mlevi, sijui kesho wataniita nini. Mimi nawaangalia, nacheka. You’re wasting your time na mtu hana kitu anatafuta na unaskia wakati wanatukanana wanaenda kanisa kusema ni vibaya kutukana viongozi, ni vibaya kuongea hivi. Kutoka kanisa, dakika ya mbele ni kutukana wengine,” Uhuru noted.
In his closing remarks, Kenyatta directed his message to opposition leaders whose unity has come under sharp focus in recent months.
Only this time, he wanted the message delivered by a messenger, a politician from the opposition.
“Watu ambao wanawania kiti cha urais, ikiwa ni pamoja na Karua, Gachagua, Kalonzo, Matiang’i, Sifuna, wananchi wanasema muingie kwa nyumba mpigane kama mtapigane, lakini mtupee candidate mmoja atapeleka Kasongo nyumbani,” Jane Njeri, Kirinyaga Woman Representative, said.
Uhuru then asked the gathering whether they agreed with what Njeri had said.
“Are you in agreement with what she has said? Are you in agreement with what she has said? For sure, for sure? By a show of hands, show me those who agree. Sasa wale wana masikio wasikie,” Uhuru said.
The retired President was speaking during the burial of Mwalimu Jackson Karua, father of PLP Party Leader Martha Karua, in Kirinyaga County.
