'We want President Kenyatta to retire with honour,' says DP Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto has castigated the Azimio la Umoja movement for allegedly involving President Uhuru Kenyatta in succession politics despite his imminent departure from office.

This comes after President Kenyatta officially endorsed Raila Odinga's presidential bid in a meeting with Mount Kenya leaders in Sagana on Wednesday.

According to DP Ruto, President Kenyatta has diligently served the people of Kenya since he first assumed office in 2013, as such he should be allowed to retire peacefully from the country’s political arena in order to keep his legacy intact.

“Stop bothering our President Uhuru Kenyatta. Please, we are asking our competitors to stop trying to use the president; the man we elected who has completed his duty. Stop misusing him to try and campaign for an unpopular project,” DP Ruto said in Kitui.  

“You are abusing the matters of the President of Kenya. We want the President to retire with honour and respect. Do not assign him duties that are unpopular and responsibilities that have no meaning.”

DP Ruto similarly criticized Azimio leader Raila Odinga for allegedly hiding behind President Kenyatta instead of facing him head-on ahead of the August polls.

“Huyu mtu wa kitendawili, unajua ameenda kujificha nyuma ya Uhuru Kenyatta sasa anafanya nini nyuma ya rais? Awachane na yeye, hajawahi kumpigia kura Uhuru Kenyatta,” the DP said.

He similarly blamed Odinga for allegedly causing a rift within the Jubilee Party and interfering with the delivery of important projects that the DP and President Kenyatta vowed to provide for the people of Kenya when they joined hands ahead of the 2013 General Elections.

“Kwanza ametuletea hasara mingi, amesambaritisha serikali yetu, ameharibu chama chetu cha Jubilee na amesambaratisha agenda yetu ya Big 4,” the DP said.

“Alafu saa hizi anataka kuharibia rais heshima kwa kuenda kumfanyisha kazi ati kuskuma mtu hana agenda, plan na track record. Kuskuma mtu ambaye hana plan ya kupeleka Kenya mahali popote na atakuja kuharibu legacy ya President.”