Uhuru Kenyatta Urges Azimio Politicians To Remain United, Says.’Raila Will Be My Leader’

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept, 8 – Outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on political leaders affiliated with the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Alliance to remain United despite failing to clinch the presidency.

Kenyatta had campaigned and backed Raila Odinga to secure the seat though he was narrowly defeated by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate William Ruto.

Amid talk of whether or not he will hand over power, Kenyatta said that he would do so with a smile since it was the country’s custom to ensure a peaceful and seamless transition exercise.

“I will hand over power on Tuesday while smiling because that is my constitutional duty and I had promised a smooth transition. After that, I will become a normal citizen and my leader will be Raila Odinga,” said Kenyatta.

He addressed leaders at Maasai Lodge in Kajiado county.

Though leaders appeared crestfallen over Odinga’s loss, the outgoing president hinted at the loss being a teachable moment and one that Kenyans may one day regret.

“Today, you may think you have denied him an opportunity to lead this country, but you have just denied yourself an opportunity to have a person that would have united and healed this country,” he said.

Kenyatta said that the state of the country’s politics will change in the next three months calling on leaders to keep off being ‘bought’ by their rivals.

“They have tried to buy everyone, but let’s stand together,”

The political outfit is seeking leadership positions in the National Assembly and Senate and is expected to battle it out with their counterparts from Kenya Kwanza Coalition.