Matiang'i, Jubilee party defend Uhuru's political activities

Presidential aspirant Fred Matiang’i has defended retired President Uhuru Kenyatta against attacks from a section of government allied leaders.

Matiang’i accused some of government leaders of lowering the bar of public discourse and diverting attention from pressing national issues through the coordinated attacks against Uhuru.

“You hope that in a serious country like ours, there are things you do not need to spend time on. The kind of pettiness we have seen this weekend and primitiveness in addressing a retired president is shocking,” he said.

Matiang’i who served during Uhuru’s 10-year tenure in various dockets including ministry of Interior and coordination, defended his ex-boss’ right to speech saying the Constitution guarantees every person such freedom.

“In Nigeria, in the US, in the UK former presidents and prime ministers speak, campaign and attend public forums, and the world does not come to an end,” he said while defending Uhuru’s political activities.

The Jubilee Party deputy leader said some leaders were jittery about Uhuru’s activities following a phone call he made publicly to address a gathering of the party’s supporters in Narok last Friday.

“A retired President makes one phone call and the government screams the whole weekend. What kind of people are these? You have a country to run, a government to run yet all your time is spent insulting a retired president”

Matiang’i scoffed at the William Ruto administration for what he termed as unjustified attacks and sinking so low; which exhibits a form of desperation.

“On a weekend when your own party members are announcing they will not defend their seats on your ticket, when it is clear to the world you are a sinking ship, you choose to insult your predecessors,” he said.

Last weekend, some UDA leaders told Uhuru to keep off the country’s political arena and enjoy his retirement while threatening to withdraw his benefits as a retired head of state.

The former President has also been in the past linked to squabbles in the opposition with Broad-Based Government allies accusing him of funding the Linda Mwananchi faction of the ODM party.

On Monday Jubilee Party shot back telling UDA to look for someone else to blame for the woes while insisting Uhuru’s benefits are guaranteed by the law and not a favour.

"We are particularly concerned, and indeed alarmed by reckless statements from certain political actors threatening punitive action against the former President, including the suggestion that his retirement benefits could be withdrawn," Jubilee secretary general Moitalel Ole Kenta said.

 “Retirement benefits for former Presidents are not political favours to be granted or withdrawn at will. They are legal entitlements grounded in law, designed to preserve the dignity of the office and to ensure continuity and stability within our system of governance.”

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot led leaders who recently warned of a plan to revoke Uhuru’s benefits because of his comments criticising the government.

“The late President Moi, when he retired in 2002, he went to his farm in Kabarak and never bothered to do the silly monkey games you are doing today. When Kibaki went on retirement, he respected the office that the people of Kenya had given him; he peacefully rested in his home,” Cheruiyot thundered on Sunday.

Cabinet secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku has also separately urged Uhuru to desist from criticising his successor.

“When Uhuru was president, Ruto respected him fully as Head of State. His current posture does not reflect the same respect for the presidency. Why can’t he reciprocate?” Ruku asked.

On Monday, Jubilee accused the ruling party of looking for scape-goats through the use of Uhuru’s name.

"From the very first day this administration assumed office, it has sought to construct a political narrative anchored not in its own vision or delivery, but in the constant invocation of H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta as a point of blame, distraction, and deflection. Every challenge becomes his legacy," Kenta said.

"Every failure is conveniently projected backwards. Every unmet promise is explained away by invoking his name. This approach is not only intellectually lazy; it is politically dishonest."