President Kenyatta embarks on charm offensive to campaign for Raila
President Uhuru Kenyatta has for the second day continued to drum up support for the Azimio la Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga.
Kenyatta, who is on a tour of Laikipia and Samburu counties, said Raila and Martha Karua are fit to lead the nation and carry on with the development projects he initiated.
The Head of State praised Raila, saying he has the interests of the nation at heart.
He said Raila’s presidency would ensure peace in the region which has been experiencing security challenges for years.
In Embakasi East on Tuesday during the launch of Mihang’o Hospital, the Head of State noted that he would not be actively involved in politics once he retires but will be available to help Raila with important issues.
He said that he would capitalize on his close ties with the former Prime Minister to bring to his attention matters which should be prioritised in the country’s development agenda.
“We will be meeting once in a while in our homes and whenever I see anything that I feel needs to be addressed, then I will call on to him so that we deliberate on how to sort it out,” the President stated.
Kenyatta further responded to calls by the Kenya Kwanza brigade for him to retire once his term comes to an end, stating that he would leave but once he is sure that Kenya was in a safe pair of hands.
In line with this, he reiterated his support for his handshake partner, Raila and running mate, Martha Karua, whom he termed as the best duo to succeed him, while throwing jabs at the opposing faction.
“There is still a lot of work to be done including construction of roads and commissioning of hospitals and the person who I want to hand over the baton to is none other than Raila Odinga.
“Raila has a no-nonsense running mate in Karua and they are leaders who are firm and just, unlike the other group which focuses on insults,” he stated.
Uhuru was accompanied by Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, and former Nairobi governor, Mike Sonko, who drummed up support for Azimio.
Babu and Sonko asked Nairobi residents to vote for Nairobi gubernatorial candidate, Polycarp Igathe, whom they opined was better placed to continue with Uhuru’s work in Nairobi county.
On his part Sonko teased that even though he has eyes set on the Mombasa county seat, he would ensure that the next Nairobi governor is from Azimio.
Kenyatta is also expected to hit the campaign trail in the Mt Kenya region where he will commission development projects as he drums up support for the Raila-Karua ticket.
He will commence his tour in Nyeri county before proceeding to other parts of the vast Mt Kenya region.
“His countrywide campaigns will start with the mountain. We do not just want him to campaign. The President will also commission projects,” explained the Jubilee Director of Elections, Kanini Kega.
Kega added that Uhuru will show the region which direction to take politically, noting that it is already clear that the mountain has already embraced Karua.
“President Kenyatta will also show us which direction to take. It is obvious Mt Kenya is with Karua. She is the person we will oscillate around when the boss leaves office,” Kega added.
