Many might have thought that President Uhuru Kenyatta will have nothing to do with 2022 politics after he said in an interview on CNN that he was ready to leave office and active politics at the end of his term.
But the President seem to have bowed down to pressure from Mt Kenya region leaders who demanded him to declare his stunt on the 2022 politcs.
While speaking in a local dialect in Nyeri on Thursday where he opened a market at Karatina, the President said he will have strong influence on the 2022 polls.
He told off those thinking his influence will fade, saying they will be in for a “rude shock”.
“People think I’m silent just because I’m going home. But when that time comes, I will definitely have a word to say,” Uhuru said.
The President spoke at a time when Mount Kenya leaders have been emphasising the need to have an area spokesman, who will take over from Uhuru after he retires.
“Most of you are yapping I don’t have any shot because my term is ending 2022 and they are pressuring me to public announce who I will support in 2022. I want to advice them to keep calm because what I have in store you cannot even imagine. I will shape the 2022 politics whether you like it or not but allow me now to keep mute because of many reasons one been that I promised to work.” President Kenyatta said.
Area leaders had claimed Uhuru was inaccessible and the region was hurt by unfair distribution of resources despite voting for his reelection overwhelmingly.
Uhuru also opened the Sh250 million Karatina Market.
Most leaders, who attended the meeting, boycotted the tour.
Deputy President William Ruto’s close allies were not present during the tour after the meeting, which was scheduled at 11am.
“I’m happy to work with leaders from this area and, in fact, we had discussions in the morning. I believe they have good plans and we will together focus on delivering to Kenyans,” he said.
The President urged Mount Kenya politicians to keep off politics and focus on development.
He said they should stop politics of engaging each other in the media and serve Kenyans.
Uhuru told residents development cannot be realised in any region when leaders are engaged in endless politics.
He told Mt Kenya leaders to come up with plans of reviving sectors which are doing poorly instead of complaining.
“Sit down and come with a plan on how you want our coffee farmers to benefit. Let’s focus on what will improve our people’s lives,” Uhuru said.
Uhuru asked leaders traversing the country seeking support of certain leaders to work first before assuming they have a huge support.
He asked leaders across the nation to unite and work with him since he is committed to serving Kenyans.
“Kenya conducted two elections in one year and people are tired of politics. What they want are services,” the Head of State said.
His critics however have been left in a ‘rude shock’ on which type of influence the president will have on the next polls. Do you think he will support his deputy William Ruto or will endorse another leader?