Uhuru’s Warning to Ruto: ‘Power Fades,’ After Family Hit by Gov’t Crackdown
In light of the government’s crackdown on the former first family, former president Uhuru Kenyatta has advised his successor, William Ruto, to serve the country well because he will not be in the country’s highest office eternally.
Monday, during a meeting with news editors, Kenyatta reminded Ruto that “power is temporary” and that he should serve the country with diligence during his tenure as president.
“My advice to Ruto is that power is ephemeral and transient. Mr. Kenyatta said, “Do your best for the country,” adding that he did his best during his ten years in office and resigned peacefully.
Kenyatta refused to endorse Ruto’s 2022 presidential campaign and instead backed Ruto’s rival, the former prime minister Raila Odinga.
“It is not my responsibility to manage the country. Even if I did not support you. “I did my best, and when my term ended, I stepped down,” said the former president.
His remarks came three days after police searched the home of Kenyatta’s son Jomo in Karen, Nairobi, for weapons.
Ruto, according to Kenyatta, has not reached out to him since assuming office, stating that he is eager to engage only if the President initiates contact. During his time in office, he reached out to his predecessors, the late Mwai Kibaki and Daniel Moi.
“I cannot invite myself to speak with him, but if he initiates contact, as my president, I will go. I frequently sought advice from Moi and Kibaki,” Kenyatta told the senior editors.
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Kenyatta has distanced himself from claims that he is funding the opposition coalition Azimio La Umoja’s anti-government protests, stating, “I am perplexed by claims that I am funding Azimio protest; for what purpose?”
Ruto and leaders affiliated with his Kenya Kwanza coalition have repeatedly accused Kenyatta of funding the demonstrations led by Odinga.
Friday, after the police had left his son’s residence, Kenyatta showed up and disclosed he has not yet met with Ruto because the opportunity has not been presented to him.
He stated that despite the repeated public assaults “atop vehicles” at government events, President Ruto has shown no indication that he wishes to have a direct private conversation with him.
You have a tête-à -tête with someone who wishes to have one with you. He has not indicated any desire to communicate with me. Why should I, as a retiree, seek out someone who does not want to converse with me?
The assault was one of a series of recent events, including the removal of government protection from his mother Mama Ngina.
But the former head of state believes his mother should be shielded from any political victimization, stating on Monday that the benefits she receives are not a result of her status as the former president’s mother, but rather as former First Lady.
During Monday’s meeting, Kenyatta disclosed that he is not receiving all of his retirement benefits and that some of his employees lack contracts.
“They don’t pay allowances to hire office, I fuel the cars,” the former president told editors of the media.
Uhuru’s Warning to Ruto: ‘Power Fades,’ After Family Hit by Gov’t Crackdown
