NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14 – Deputy President William Ruto has dismissed a section of leaders clamoring for the extension of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure through a constitutional amendment terming the crusade led by trade unionist Francis Atwoli as deceitful.
Ruto who spoke when he hosted opinion leaders from Western and Nyanza regions at his official residence in Karen on Monday said President Kenyatta was a democrat and as such could not demand to cling to power.
“My boss President Uhuru Kenyatta is a democrat, I don’t think he has told anyone that he wants his term extended. Where are all these people finding all these. So I dare ask: Uliskia wapi? Ati Rais Kenyatta anataka term yake isongeshwe? Wewe ambaye unatupatia hiyo story, Uliskia wapi?” the DP posed.
DP Ruto said the efforts to change constitution through the Building Bridges Initiative needs to be progressive.
“We are finding all manner of cards flying, at one point we are being told we want another layer of government, another layer of bureaucracy, some people are telling us extension of terms,” Ruto pointed out.
He said BBI should advance Kenyans’ common purposes and expanding opportunity for all in order to build a stronger economy that will move Kenyans out of poverty and unemployment.
“It should be a unifying and people-centred document rather than a political tool that is in defiance of the spirit of inclusivity, abused by some leaders to breed division, hate and ethnic animosity.”
Those who attended the meeting included former Raila Odinga strategist Elidu Owalo who declared support for Ruto after decamping ODM and ANC within a year.