President Uhuru Kenyatta has reiterated his pledge to hand over power peacefully to president-elect William Ruto, whose election was upheld by the Supreme Court.
Speaking during an Azimio parliamentary group at the Maasai Lodge on Wednesday, September 7, Uhuru affirmed that he will pass down the leadership button to Ruto as mandated by the law.
However, he maintained that this did not mean that he supported Ruto, stating that his choice has always been Azimio flagbearer, Raila Odinga.
"I will hand over power smiling because it's my Constitutional duty but my leader is Baba, Raila Odinga. Do not yourselves to be bought or pocketed," he stated.
The outgoing President further faulted Kenyans over the decision they made in the August 9 General Election, stating that they denied themselves the opportunity of having a united country.
"You denied yourself an opportunity to bring the country together, you haven't denied Raila," the outgoing Head of State remarked.
President Kenyatta gave his two cents about the upcoming National Assembly and Senatorial elections for the speakers' positions, endorsing Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka in the Senate race.
According to Uhuru, the former Vice President was better placed to keep Ruto's cabinet in check.
"Stephen Kalonzo would have been the best chief minister. I believe he would also have been a good representative of our agenda in Senate," the Azimio Council Chairman stated.
Uhuru convened a meeting with Azimo-elected Members of Parliament (MPs) and senators to deliberate on how the coalition party would strategize to beat Kenya Kwanza in the speakers' elections.
Speaking to the media, Secretaries-Generals of affiliate parties led by Jubilee's Jeremiah Kioni announced that the coalition had settled on Kenneth Marende as their candidate for the National Assembly speaker.
On his part, Nairobi Senator-elect Edwin Sifuna called out leaders who had been voted in under Azimio but defected to rival Kenya Kwanza. He also condemned William Ruto's poaching spree of lawmakers.
"None of us is available for sale: We will do our duty to the people who elected us and gave us votes. If you were elected in Azimio, you are a fraud if you appear to join any other coalition," Sifuna stated.
