Former Nyeri town member of parliament Ngunjiri Wambugu on Sunday, November 11, refuted claims of asking the Azimio-one Kenya coalition leader, Raila Odinga to retire.
Wambugu explained that the Twitter account that shared the message was fake being used to impersonate him.
The fake message also claimed that it was wrong for Raila to endorse his daughter Winnie Odinga for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) nomination.
Responding to the pseudo account, the vocal politician who lost his seat in the 2022 polls emphasized that he was busy in Nyeri, concentrating on his busines.
“These guys need to stop with these fake accounts. When I have something to say, I always say it; without help. I am currently selling tea and mandazi in Nyeri Town. Politics is for later,” he stated.
He was referring to his new hotel business in Nyeri that opened its doors to the public on November 1.
Following his failed Presidential bid, a section of politicians has challenged Odinga, 77, to quit elective politics.
For instance, Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana explained that Raila had been used over the years by people who wanted to clinch power by riding on his name.
He claimed that those who encouraged Raila to be on the ballot did so so that they could claim their seats.
Speaking in Kajiado County where he presided over the distribution of relief food on Saturday, November 5, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also urged the Kajiado County residents to forget about Raila as politics is a hard job for him.
“He has run out of time. Let’s get together with William Ruto and me and move this country forward,” posed the DP.
Former Westland's MP aspirant, Sylvia Mukama, while appearing for an interview at TV47 on April 20, insisted on Raila’s retirement describing him as an old man.
"Let Mzee Raila retire peacefully, he is almost 80 years old. Let him let younger people lead because he has had very good opportunities like being Prime Minister,” she stated.
Amidst retirement pressure, Raila still has plans for vying for the same seat in 2027. Speaking in Bondo, at the funeral of Barrack Oduor, Ida Odinga’s bodyguard, he noted that when the right time arrives he would give the direction.
During an interview with K24, veteran politician and former Agriculture Minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa noted that there was still hope for Raila in the 2027 General Election despite his loss in the 2022 polls. He noted that Raila will be formidable in the next polls despite his age.
Wambugu who was among fierce Azimio supporters in Central Kenya hinted at taking his own way during the campaign period after failing to have Raila on his posters.
Addressing the matter then, he stated that having a party leader on a poster was not significant enough to portray loyalty to the party.
The MP was among the political casualties in Central Kenya, who were swept by the yellow wave during the August polls. Other big names that fell included Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya and Kanini Kega.
First time governors including Francis Kimemia, Lee Kinyanjui and Ndiritu Muriithi were also sent into political oblivion, thanks to Ruto's UDA.
