National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has told off former President Uhuru Kenyatta over his recent ‘betrayal’ remarks, claiming that the latter feels betrayed by Opposition leader Raila Odinga who is his key political ally.
Ichung’wah has called on the former president to steadily support Raila’s candidature for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson position.
He claims that Raila opted to contest for the top AUC position after realizing that President William Ruto is committed to transforming the country’s economy.
“For those who are claiming that Baba (Raila) betrayed them, they should not mock him. Raila has just realized that the government of President Ruto has lowered the cost of living and revived the economy,” Ichung’wah said.
“That is why he opted to contest for the AU top job. Has he really betrayed anyone? They should stop that bitterness against Raila and, instead, accord him support,” he added.
Elections for the post are slated for February next year, with the victor requiring the support of two-thirds of AU member states if no consensus is reached. The Kikuyu MP was speaking on Sunday during a church fundraiser in Nyeri town where he represented President Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
Uhuru has since warned Kenyans about the politics of betrayal in the country, appealing to Christians to be careful of the betrayers. “There is so much betrayal on the other side, there is a lot of betrayal but to the betrayers, we tell them that even Judas betrayed Jesus, but he left all the money and finally took the rope,” Uhuru said.
“Be careful with church betrayers, but I can’t see so much betrayal here. Religious leaders are cooperative, if you talk to them well, they will help you in your work,” he added.
The former Head of State was speaking in Nairobi on Saturday during a Catholic church event to ordain two new bishops. On March 13, Ichung’wah had accused Uhuru of orchestrating plans to scuttle implementation of the final National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report.
He claimed that the former president had influenced DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa to desist appending his signature on the report.
“He (Wamalwa) was there during the meetings, he agreed on everything and never raised issues until Uhuru told him otherwise. We know it was not your independent decision, someone sent you. Whoever sent you, give him our response,” the Majority Leader said.
“Tell him the NADCO implementation will proceed with or without your signature. With or without the liking of Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya will be a peaceful nation.”
On October 6, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua revealed that he was pursuing talks between him and Uhuru. Gachagua said he had decided to heal the Agikuyu community from the rivalry witnessed during the heated 2022 General Election, which saw Uhuru’s preferred presidential candidate – Raila – trounced by President Ruto.
“Mr Kenyatta was fronting Mr Raila Odinga for the presidency and he lost. We have now decided to embrace him as our respectable son and statesman despite everything,” Mr Gachagua said.
He added: “As Mt Kenya leaders we have agreed not to be fighting him (Uhuru) and I am planning to hold talks with him. I have ordered everyone to respect him, and he is also doing good to keep his peace”.