President Uhuru Reacts to Jubilee Vice-Chair David Murathe's Remarks about 2022 Presidential Election
President Kenyatta has distanced himself from Jubilee party Vice-Chairman David Murathe's statement about Deputy President William Ruto's 2022 presidential bid.
Speaking earlier this week, Murathe said there is no MOU that states that the Kikuyu community would back Ruto's State House bid in the next election.
“Truth be told, as a party, we have no MoU with anyone that we have to support you come 2022. If he had an agreement with President Uhuru Kenyatta, then that was only between them,” says Murathe.
Murathe also said that Ruto isn't the automatic presidential flag bearer for Jubilee party in 2022, noting that he should exit the political stage together with President Uhuru in 2022.
"If he (Ruto) has a MoU with Uhuru Kenyatta, then that was an agreement between two individuals. If you (Ruto) have led with Uhuru for two terms, what else do you want? We don't know someone who will guard us but we know someone who will break us. We will take someone who will safeguard Mt Kenya."
"From 2013 when we took government, we shared everything and he got some of the plum jobs like Finance, Agriculture, Energy and all. But everything he got he kept to himself leaving Uhuru to share his half with the entire country, we will not allow that," Murathe noted.
In a roundtable interview at State House Mombasa, President Kenyatta has termed Murathe's remarks as personal and doesn't represent his stand.
"Those talking about the MoU are talking on their behalf, as far as I am concerned, we have our party and we will have our plans later on like the other will have their plans," says Uhuru.
Kenyatta further says that he will only talk about 2022 succession politics after he cements his legacy with the help of Opposition chief Raila Odinga.
"But first we must prepare the country according to how we have started discussions with my brother Raila to ensure that no more Kenyans shed blood because of politics, that is my vision now and those who want to chase after elections, let them do so, I'm not among them," he notes.
“And by the way, I can reaffirm that I have a partner in Raila in fighting corruption and uniting Kenya. He is of ODM and I am jubilee but he believes in the same ideologies as I do. We have never spoken about 2022. It is not about the referendum but what will hold the future generation together,” he adds.