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Home » 2012 Poll Watch, Kenya, Top stories » Glad I quit, now I can campaign – Uhuru


The two are set to address another rally in Kiambu on Saturday/MIKE KARIUKI

ELDORET, Kenya, Jan 27 – Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta said on Friday he is now a free man having relinquished the Finance Ministry docket, and will have more time to traverse the country seeking votes in his quest to succeed President Mwai Kibaki.

Speaking at a peace rally at the Eldoret 64 stadium a day after stepping aside from the plum job following pressure from the civil society over his ICC indictment, Kenyatta said he would not drop his presidential ambition and warned those agitating for this to respect the wishes of Kenyans.

“Today I want to tell members of the civil society and the media thank you for agitating for my stepping aside. I stepped aside and now I am a free man. I will have enough time to tour the country,” Kenyatta said, vowing that he must be on the ballot in the next general election.

“It is not a few people or the civil society to decide who will be in the ballot for the presidency. It is Kenyans, and people must respect the wishes of Kenyans,” he added telling his competitors “let us meet in the ballot, you should not be scared.”

Kenyatta and Ruto see those objecting to their candidacy for the top job as part of a wider scheme by their competitors to lock them out of the general elections in a quest to take over the country’s leadership.

“I want to tell our competitors to stop those games and conspiracies. If they are true democrats they should be ready to face us in the ballot box. We are ready to face them ourselves,” Ruto, who was indicted on Monday alongside Kenyatta, Francis Muthaura and journalist Joshua arap Sang said.

Kenyatta did not dwell on the ICC cases only saying; “We leave the cases to our lawyers to handle them. Ours now is to unite Kenyans.”

“Thank you for your prayers, we leave everything to God,” Kenyatta said, speaking publicly for the first time since the indictments were announced – and a day after he quit office.

Radio journalist Sang also indicted by the Hague-based war crimes court appealed to Kenyans to assist him financially as he prepares to argue out his case.

“The money I have is only enough for me and my family… I appeal for your assistance. I will appreciate the little you will offer because there is a lot of money required,’ Sang said.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, speaking at the peace rally announced that the government intended to ask for a deferral of the cases from The Hague.

“Like the AG said, the government will be sending a letter to ICC asking for a deferral of the cases,” said Musyoka, whose shuttle diplomacy failed before the cases against the four were sent for determination.

The VP said he was “deeply concerned and always irritated” by remarks made by unnamed persons that he wanted to be a beneficiary for the race to State House once Kenyatta and Ruto were kept off the scene because of their cases, or if they are jailed.

“It irritates me completely! How can I be the one to celebrate? I want to say here today that there is no way I can be happy to be the President of the Republic of Kenya while my two colleagues Uhuru and Ruto are jailed,” he told a jubilant crowd. “I want to compete fairly and I can assure you that if anyone of them wins the nomination, I will step down for him, and I am sure they are equally ready.”

Other leaders who spoke at the venue included Chirau Mwakwere, Cyrus Jirongo, Eugene Wamalwa, Cecily Mbarire, Kiema Kilonzo among others.

They all urged Kenyatta and Ruto to remain united to take the helm of leadership of the country.

Kenyatta and Ruto are set to address another peace rally in Kiambu on Saturday followed by other public meetings in other parts of the country.

Residents interviewed in Eldoret also said they wanted the two leaders to remain united.

“I am very happy to see them (Uhuru/Ruto). They have suffered a lot of humiliation after the (ICC) indictments. We want to tell them to remain united, this ICC thing will come to an end,” Robert Kipchilat, a United Republican Party supporter said.

Another supporter of Ruto’s URP Kemboi Rotich said; “If they remain united I am sure they will win the Presidency in the elections.”

For Kirwa John, another resident of Turbo who attended the rally; “Let the best man win. I cannot say who I support at the moment because the election is still far.”






BERNARD MOMANYI Author: BERNARD MOMANYI
BERNARD MOMANYI has written 1081 posts
Bernard is a full time journalist and mainly writes crime-related stories at Capital FM. He has practiced journalism for 10 years both in print and electronic media. He holds a BSc degree in Information Sciences from Moi University where he specialised in Publishing and Media. He also holds a Diploma in Journalism and Public Relations.

  • Anonymous

    I thought this was a prayer meeting, let the truth be said , listen Good Ruto and Uhuru. God has ordered that you names will not be on the ballot. Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. …. . God and Kenyans will not allow you two to rule this country. Vote for peter Kenneth 2013

  • Kebasot

    Mwenyainchi,

    You are a complete idiot and most probably a tribalist. Mate, those who were involved to overthrow Moi’s regime were all tortured to death, no one survived and you know what i wish they overthrew that dictator. I bet you lot don’t jobs and are languishing abject poverty coz of that idiot herdsman Moi. The man totally destroyed an economy and a country that was very prosperous. What the fuck did Moi do for Kenya mwenyeinchi???? I have a feeling that you ar tarmarking looking for work or someone ixed you into aka small job. You know what a revolution is yet to happen in Kenya and after that Kenya will be left with only one people – Kenyan tribe and NOT Kikuyu’s, Luo’s, turkana, Taita etc etc UKABILA will like the one you a learnt man is harboring is what is slowly leading us to a final revolution.

  • Nguku_ino

    Peter WHO??? TELL HIM AKICHEZA HATA HIYO GOVERNOR HAPATI!!!

  • Anonymous

    Peter kenneth Tosha : http://peterkenneth.com/

  • Oposche

    Very funny. How can u even imagine become president after being forced out as a minister? R the rules of ethics lesser for the Presidency? Haha

  • http://twitter.com/DMBUTHIA D.MBUTHIA

    Stop using God’s name in vain! Peter will never rule and you know that! Uhuru will eventually win!

  • Geof

    Hey change is coming… soon the old guards like Raila will be in the museum. Ruto or uhuru will be next president of this country let us not be fulled by activist who milk international donors. watch this space!

  • Geof

    Your dreaming….i swear peter will not event get the lowest seat in this country. He is a non-starter who do not know where is going! He is even yet to decide…by the way are you related to peter kenneth?

  • Geof

    Uhuru, Ruto, Kalonzo, Tuju, Wamalwa union is good away to go.

  • Geof

    Kebasot! do you really understanding what your arguing….why Moi? it seems your are out of mind. Moi did good things that no one else could have done..not even Kibaki? He once said “the consequences of multiparthy democracy will led Kenya into war….which it came to pass” “KANU will rule for 100yrs” 

  • Memba67

    The Uhuru /Ruto wind will calm and thr true winner will emerge, just waite.

  • Anantpanchmatia

    Must be joking, having named in the crime for humanity in your country.

  • Pratt

    This is total nonsense and an insult to Kenyans. While president Moi had his short-comings, I sincerely believe he did his best. To start with, those who attempted a tribal coup against him were worse than him, no doubt about it. A supposed savior can NEVER resort to a tribal coup attempt. However, the creatures behind that failed coup, that left thousands of Kenyans dead, have continued to cripple the country while parading themselves as reformers. Moi NEVER deliberately crippled education and development in his area, unlike the merchants of deceit, who have continued to terrorize the country at will. At least, he had a hunan face. Today, the fake reformers have unleashed untold suffering and unimaginable corruption on the Kenyan psyche. May be reform and better day is about poisonous propaganda and malicious lies. Everyday, Kenyans are being misled by the same same fellows wearing fake reform stickers. Infact, Kenyans are being denied good leadership by these evil merchants. I dont think Kenya can only be good and prosperous when its led by evil man from my tribe. However, as events have shown, a good lot of us believe only their village idol can change Kenya for the better. Amazingly, apart from spewing foul language, the supposed “savior” has remained stagnant like water in drum. Thats  even after assuming one of the most powwerful offices in the country! Has the 1/2 loaf failed to translate in to anything? Is it not true that the fellow spends most of his time plotting on how to corruptly assissanate the characters of others? And I guess, thats why nearly every newspaper columnist and the so called political analysts are all wasting time trying to mislead the public. They are mercenaries hidding behind pretended veneer of knowledge. How come only one individual commissions fake opinion polls? How come someone is desperately trying to choose leaders for the people? How come every time the likes of Kalonzo say something, quickly serious doubts are cast on their sincerity? Obviously, corruption merchants are trying to poison minds of Kenyans against them! And this all started once they fell off with the merchants of deceit who wont entertain secret ballot as nomination method! Its just too telling how people are willing to fool Kenyans to get their way. But wickeds WILL soon realize that Kenyans are not that foolish after all.

  • Stainless100

    uhuru did not quit,the people spoke.it will take a long while for it to sink in but the charges against him are serious and backed by evidence.the right thing would be to lay low and when he is deemed guilty or innocent he can then thump his chest.this is not the time for “prayer rallies!”

  • geofry

    wishful thinking. A torrential river that has started to flow is very dangerous. When you hear the sound of its movement from far get to know it is time to take refuge in the hills. But if you are naive stand on it’s way.

  • tk

    lels meet on the ballot atakama atakuwa hague

  • Kamau

    uhuru n ruto should buy a house at the hague city n live there to save on many costs until they finish the sentences awaiting them. how can they pretend that the 2 communities have united n yet ruto caused so many problems to kiuks during the violence who still IDPs?

  • Anonymous

    add Wanugu, Wachuchu and Nancy Baraza and now we have a party

  • Kamau

    Ruto should 1st return the IDPs into their land in Rift Valley before he can get our votes…….n compensate those who were burnt in churches, homes, streets etc!

  • Juakali

    I am almost certaiin you are insane when you tell me Moi did anything good to this country.Was your father a beneficiary?

  • Anantpanchmatia

    This is the true reality and assesment.Both these leaders need to go for good.  Honestly
    it is good for new KENYA.

  • Anantpanchmatia

    You must be joking.It will not happen take it from me.The people are far intellectual now, then
    perhaps it seems to you.

  • aluko

    Have you ever noticed that Uhuru/Ruto bond  only gets stronger when ICC issues a statement threatening both? In between when nothing is happening, their freindship isn’t strong. Secondly, Uhuru should make up his mind – either to run on a Kanu ticket and win Moi’s and Nick Salatt’s support or ditch Kanu and team up with Ruto. These two camps do not see eye to eye in Rift Valley. FYI PNU has not hidden their support for Uhuru. Kanu is yet to make a stand. Uhuru needs very smart guys to advise him. The tragedy is it is hard to come by such people in Central Kenya.

  • Mojofujo

    Body language speaks volumes. These two guys do not trust each other. 

    Central does not trust Ruto and RV has told Ruto, no support for him if he is not number one on the ticket.

    When the trials begin proper, Ruto supporters will actually be shocked to learn that it is Uhuru and his supporters through the NSIS that fixed Ruto’s date with the ICC. The irony is that Ruto has always known this and has consistently lied to his supporters.

  • Kijana Mzee

    My friends, these are the last kicks of the dying horse of impunity! Maybe it has not sank in that the ICC is for real and that there is no manipulation or bribery of judges there. These charges are very serious and carry lengthy jail terms, obviously it seems most Kenyans are not familiar with a world where no one is above the law. The ICC unlike Kenyan tribunals or commisions of inquiry doesn’t waste time and the far they have reached now they definately have solid cases against the four individuals. So instead of these accused lieing low and try to build up their defense cases they’re traversing the country once again trying to whip up emotions and even purporting that Kenyans alone will decide if they stand or not. What they are not telling their largely ignorant supporters is that Kenyans decided when Kenya became a signatory of the Rome Statute (of the ICC) that they wanted the court to deal with impunity and the ICC on its part will not dissapoint and has even declared that they will make the Kenya case an example to others!    

  • Kim

    UHURU we believe in you what you are accused of is something anybody who loved his people could strive and do to save his nation, we were at war and we fought for our leaders who are enjoying power and watching others suffer on their behalf. i would like to know any Kenyan who was not involved in one way or another in trying to stop the terrible things that were happening at the time, we now see the same happening in Moyale who will save North Eastern people or shall we continue to talk and talk while people are being killed

  • Lucas

    Who is Peter Kenneth? Ala!




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