KANU officials warn UDA members against attacking President Uhuru Kenyatta
Kenya African National Union (KANU) officials have warned politicians allied to Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) against disrespecting and ridiculing President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The group of party officials from Kiambu county, singled out Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua whom they said had made the vice a trend whenever he speaks in public meetings and media interviews.
Led by the area Kanu chairman David Mbiyu, the officials who spoke to People Daily Digital in Limuru urged politicians to avoid sowing seeds of discord and disharmony that could polarize the country ahead of the 2022 polls.
"It has become trendy for the likes of Gachagua and his Kikuyu counterpart Kimani Ichungwa to adversely mention the name of the President whenever they address their supporters aiming to dent his image and that of the government."
"Even if they may not respect Uhuru, they ought to respect the office of the presidential which is the symbol of national unity," Mbiyu said.
The official, who was flanked by several party branch officials including Karanja Sakina, urged politicians from across the political divide to preach peace, love, unity and reconciliation among Kenyans.
They at the same time urged area residents, particularly the youth, to use the remaining one day and register as voters in order to participate in the 2022 polls.
"It's unfortunate to see a section of our people deliberately failing to register as voters citing unfulfilled promises and corruption among elected leaders but it should dawn on them that bad leaders are elected by good people who fail to vote," Sakina said.
Meanwhile, the former ruling party officials urged Kenyans and particularly Kiambu residents to consider reelecting leaders serving their first term so the county can develop.
They said that the county lags behind in matters development because of changing visionary and able leaders every election year.
The chairman said although residents have a right to elect their preferred candidates, this sometimes disrupts ongoing programmes and projects.
“In many cases, people make mistakes when they vote in new leaders who start researching their plight and challenges. When the new leaders start laying strategies to overcome residents' challenges, election time comes and they vote in others,” Mbiyu said.
He said this is how society loses focus and the voters keep complaining that their leaders are not performing.
“Let us try to retain those already in the seats since they know our challenges. If we give them another chance, I am sure they can perform. They will not waste a lot of time researching,” he said.
He pleaded with Kiambu voters to reelect area Governor Dr.James Nyoro, saying that he has steered the county to great heights of development despite having been in office for less than two years.
He said Nyoro’s administration has improved all sectors including roads, markets, hospitals and agriculture.
“Some of the sections which he has touched on are those which affect the common man at the grassroots. Let's not lose focus this time round and give Nyoro another chance. The same case applies to any other leader serving their first term in their respective capacities," Mbiyu said.
