It is no longer a rumor that President Uhuru Kenyatta will not be supporting his Deputy William Ruto in his bid to occupy the top office come 2022.
The first obvious hint may have come in Kisumu, during the recent Madaraka Day, where Uhuru applauded former opposition leader Raila Odinga, and even said that he looked forward to working with him in the future. This line, though not picked by many including the media, may have been the first hint the Head of State gave to Kenyans concerning his chosen successor.
And on June 14, 2021, just a few weeks after his trip to Kisumu, President Uhuru declared that he will pick his 2022 successor from among the Nasa principals if they unite and agree on a single candidate.
Uhuru reportedly asked the Nasa principals to unite to enhance their chances of forming the next government after he retires next year.
The declaration caught Deputy President William Ruto off guard – even though many had seen it coming.
The timing is what may have caught many off-guard, including the DP.
“Steve (Kalonzo), listen to your people and what they are saying. Unite in Nasa then we shall see what will happen. Whatever you will agree on is what I will go with,” the President said.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, where he held talks with elected leaders from Ukambani region, Uhuru said the unity of the Nasa chiefs will determine if they will form the next government.
Nasa supporters will be waiting to see if Raila Odinga (ODM), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), former Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto (Chama Cha Mashinani) and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula will work together again in 2022 after they failed to beat Jubilee.
Uhuru’s sentiments came following remarks by Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu who had asked President Uhuru to implore Kalonzo to stick Nasa co-principals.
“If as Ukambani you will work together and stay united the way the Mt Kenya region is doing, then I have no doubt you will be part of the next government,” Uhuru said.
“Uhuru said he doesn’t want to hang onto power even for a single more day when his term ends, but he would want to leave the country in safe hands,” a source who attended the meeting at State House told the media.