National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has explained his decision to join Deputy President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza and cutting ties with his long-time ally President Uhuru Kenyatta.
In a TV interview on Monday, April 11, Muturi, who recently shelved his presidential bid, stated that he felt uncomfortable with the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party which has the blessing of the Head of State.
He added that he was willing to work with Kenyatta who has been a confidant for a long time, but he (Muturi) was hesitant to support former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's candidature.
The two-term speaker of the National Assembly further detailed that after thinking through his political options, he opted for the Kenya Kwanza faction explaining that their messaging resonated with him.
"People have a different point of view and President Kenyatta decided to make his choice on who he would support quite early and I did not agree.
"I took time to try to understand if it would make sense going forward. After August 9, Uhuru will be representing history and we must look to the future when we make decisions. It wasn't making sense and that is not the route I wanted to go," he explained.
Additionally, he refuted claims that his move to Kenya Kwanza was informed by claims of reported differences with Kenyatta stating that he was in talking terms with the President.
"Who is saying that the President is not picking up my calls? I was even with the President last week and we talked for a long time. I saw that he was very firmly in Azimio and I differed respectfully. That does not mean that we are not friends," Muturi told NTV.
During the interview, the speaker also addressed reports that he was promised the running mate position before backing the DP's presidential bid.
He stated that he supports Ruto's presidential bid unconditionally adding that he would be willing to be the Kenya Kwanza running mate for the August 9 presidential polls.
"It was my desire to go all the way to the end with my presidential bid but there are things called political realities. It is Ruto who has the prerogative to choose who will be his running mate, even if I have the desire it is of no consequence.
'We decided to work with Kenya Kwanza unconditionally. It is not fair to put conditions now. If I will be nominated. I believe I fit the bill," he stated.
