President Uhuru Kenyatta has castigated the current crop of leaders, pointing out their arrogance and lack of respect to the authority.
Kenyatta spoke at the first memorial service of the late President Daniel arap Moi in Kabarak, on Thursday, February 4. He urged leaders to reflect on and ape the life of the late Mzee Daniel arap Moi.
Uhuru praised Moi as a respectful and charismatic leader, who served as a Deputy President for 17 years under Kenya's founding father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta.
"I want to remind everyone that Moi was a father to this country. He was respectful and served my father diligently until his time came to serve. He led Kenyans for 24 years as President and left power with dignity (in 2002).
"He even respected our second President Mwai Kibaki even though Kibaki was not his preferred candidate (in the 2002 election). When I was elected as President in 2013, I found it hard to visit Moi as he used to stand up in his old age to welcome me," Kenyatta recalled.
The Head of State noted that Moi recognised that he (Kenyatta) was the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and the sitting President.
In a thinly veiled attack seemingly aimed at Deputy President William Ruto and his allies, Kenyatta urged leaders to be respectful and patient as leadership was a blessing from God, and the choice of the people.
He warned leaders against trading insults, and fighting every decision made, noting that their efforts to undermine authority will be in vain.
"The arrogance we see in today's leadership raises many questions on the future of this country. Moi had strength which he drew from his humility and had friends from all levels of the society. Let us remember where we come from and where we are going. While I was at Sagana, I said that this country has a rich history.
“There were freedom fighters who secured our independence and never enjoyed it. They were lead by principles and justice. Then came leaders who governed the country and were honourable servants. Then came the youth who have to refer to our history," Kenyatta stated.
He added that the country should be united, and that leaders should desist from causing chaos as it is better to take precautions rather than deploy what he termed as a ‘demolition squad’.
Kenyatta, in previous addresses to the nation, lamented that his deputy was engaging in early campaigns and openly opposing the government. He used the analogy of a relay race, where he claimed that Ruto didn’t wait for the baton, but rather ran in the opposite direction to snatch it from a teammate who was supposed to pass it to him.
While addressing politicians at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri on Friday, January 29, Uhuru refuted claims that he had betrayed DP Ruto and that he won’t support him in 2022.
“I have been busy with work, doing what you asked me to do. The rest have been making noise. I am very sad that some of those attacking me and branding me a dynasty are leaders who have benefited from my own political goodwill. I will leave their fate to the people in their own constituencies.
“A well-intended visitor is one who uses the front gate to your home and sits with the family patriarch to discuss a situation. Beware of the other one knocking your bedroom and lounge window calling out your wife for negotiation at night. Put your faith in good systems and not promises from individuals,” he warned Mt Kenya.
