NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 23- The journey to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta has taken shape, with the political temperatures expected to drastically increase as the August 9 polls near.
The President has given all indications that he will hit the campaign trail to root for his preferred presidential candidate, the Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga.
During the Sagana 3 meeting in Nyeri County on Wednesday, attended by thousands of Jubilee members, the President also endorsed Odinga, saying he was the most suitable Kenyan to carry on with his legacy.
In his speech, which was largely in his Kikuyu dialect, the President did not mince his words, as he took a swipe after the other against his Deputy William Ruto.
Subsequent polls have placed Ruto as the leading contender followed by Odinga.
“An old man on a stool sees farther than a boy on a tree, let me stick with the old man who I can talk with,” the President said.
While the President did not say what led to his bitter fallout with Ruto, he did not have kind words for him, linking him to failed Ministry’s within his administration.
The President also accused his Deputy of engaging in corruption of which some of the proceeds, he said, are donated in church.
“Preachers who are lying to our people after receiving stolen money will go to hell,” the President asserted.
“Church leaders should stop lying to our people. Don’t lie to our people because you have been given money stolen from the public coffers. Such preachers will go to hell.”
He accused those allied to the Deputy President of being behind the economic meltdown, that has seen millions lose their livelihoods.
The rate of unemployment has also increased, but Uhuru had an accusing finger against those allied to his Deputy.
“Those who destroyed your livelihoods in tea and coffee are the ones who are telling you that you are hustlers,” he said.
He challenged leaders allied to his party, Jubilee, to be bold and convince the youth- who are largely supporting Ruto, to change their political affiliation and support Odinga.
“They are our children, why are you fearing them,” the President said.
About the misfortunes bedeviling the agriculture sector, the President also accused his Deputy and his allies for being behind it.
“They have been telling me about agriculture, yet it was their docket…how do you tell us you want to turn the economy yet is you who spoilt it,” he said.
His Deputy alongside leaders allied to the United Democratic Alliance was in the Ukambani region campaigning.
He was in the company of Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetangula.
In Nyeri, leaders drawn from the vote-rich Mt Kenya region attended the event. Nyeri Governor Kahiga Mutahi boycotted.
Majority of Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from the County have since decamped from the Jubilee party to Ruto’s UDA.
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