Lawmaker defends State over allegations of humiliating retired President

Nyeri

Tuesday July 25, 2023

KNA by Samuel Maina

Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia has defended President William Ruto’s government over allegations that it is abetting mistreatment of former Head of State Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta.

The UDA lawmaker termed the sentiments hypocritical and termed those peddling such allegations as people who are not honest with facts.

The former Nyeri County Assembly Speaker and a close ally of Dr Ruto says the government has been magnanimous enough in the way it has treated the former president after he handed over power last year with President Ruto appointing him Kenya’s special envoy for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad) peace efforts in the Great Lakes and Ethiopia.

“There is a lot of hypocrisy with some of the leaders you see here. President Ruto did extend an olive branch to his nemesis and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta by appointing him a diplomat in the region to help bring peace. What Ruto meant is that I defeated you but I am still willing to accommodate you as former head of state. Even amidst calls by close allies of Ruto to sack him from that position, he has completely declined,” stated Kaguchia during today’s Breakfast show on Citizen TV.

Kenyatta has lately come out to criticize the government over what he claims is sustained harassment and attacks on him and his family on unfounded allegations.

He has cited the recent withdrawal of security of former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta followed by an alleged raid on one of his son’s homes located in Karen by detectives which as proof of governments intention to cower him and members of his family.

He also said the recent unfolding emanates from his association with opposition leader Raila Odinga who has been blamed for the recent deadly anti-government demonstrations organized by Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition.

Uhuru is the chair of Azimio la Umoja alliance. Other luminaries include ODM leader Raila Odinga, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Narc Kenya chairperson Martha Karua.

But Kaguchia termed the allegations unfounded alleging a well-coordinated plot from the beginning to destabilize the current government and install another administration midterm through street demos and other anti-government activities.

He also poured cold water on calls by religious leaders to give room to dialogue in order to address the current political stalemate in the country arguing that the move is only meant to ensure Raila is finally accommodated in government.

“If you look at the way things are weaving and unwrapping you can clearly tell that someone had a very well-crafted narrative that was supposed to be explored by several people. I am telling you there is hypocrisy coming in the house. What the church should be telling Raila is to accept defeat and give the current government time to operate and stop violence in Kenya that turn out into riots in the name of demonstrations. If Raila wants to be in government he must wait for(sic) 2027,” insisted the MP.

“What Raila is doing with his ‘sponsors’ has nothing to do with cost of living. The people who are calling for dialogue are doing so to see how they can be accommodated in the government,” he claimed.

Yesterday Azimio la Umoja leaders called off tomorrows (Wednesday) planned nationwide protests and instead said they will hold solidarity parades and vigils in remembrance of those killed during the recent demonstrations.

Through a statement sent to newsrooms, the coalition also urged Kenyans to come out light candles and lay flower wreaths at strategic places in memory of the victims of the chaotic protests.

“We will also begin the process of reaching out to the families of the victims to offer any assistance that can ease their burden. During the vigils, candle lighting and floral tributes, we encourage Kenyans to say prayers and read the names of the victims. We also ask Kenyans to pray that the International Criminal Court will take up the matter on the basis of an expanded list of perpetrators, which we intend to submit to the court in due course,” read part of their statement.

Courtesy ; K. N. A