Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has three options left after the appointment of Nominated Member of Parliament Sabina Chege on Tuesday, May 2, as Jubilee Party's acting leader.
That is according to political analysts Dr Brian Mutie and Maimuna Mwidau, who noted that Uhuru’s next step would be very critical for political stability in the country.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, the analysts noted that the former Head of State had provisions within the constitution to make three choices after his unprecedented ouster from a party he played a crucial role to establish.
Accept and Move On
Mwidau stated that Uhuru had a choice to accept the changes made by the Jubilee party and focus on other matters.
She noted that then he would regain his stature as an objective statesman and in turn gain respect even from other leaders and institutions internationally.
“It is Uhuru’s choice whether he wants to go peacefully as a statesman and retire and focus on other National agendas.
“Then he will regain his stature and be above the petty politics and can be a peacemaker for the different parties,” she stated.
Her argument was echoed by Dr Mutie who noted that Uhuru would stand to benefit from the perks accorded to him by the constitution because he will have distanced himself from active politics.
Fight Back
However, the former Head of State also had the choice to fight the appointment of Sabina Chege.
According to Mutie, if Uhuru chose to remain politically active and contest, he would have chosen to forfeit his perks and benefits as a retired President.
He noted that he had the right to present the matter before the political party disciplinary committee or approach the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.
“The tribunal may give its own direction. There is also an alternative dispute which gives the party outside mitigation to solve the matter,” stated Mutie.
Become a Patron and Advisor
Another option for Uhuru, according to analysts, was to become a patron within the Jubilee party or resume a role as a political advisor.
Mwidau stated that it would mean that he would be available to guide Sabina Chege through her leadership role as well as be available to solve any wrangles within the party when need be.
“Where there are problems he should be seen as a retired president that can actually see things beyond politics. When there are serious wrangles, he should be able to come in and mediate,” she stated.
At the same time, Mutie explained that taking up the role of a guide would mean that he would keep the party intact noting that the party would likely join forces with Kenya Kwanza leaving Azimio as a weaker coalition.
Mutie elucidated that the split would also weaken the Jubilee party.
“Uhuru has a bigger role to play now in terms of uniting the bigger Azimio fraternity.
“We are likely to see a situation where one wing of Jubilee may change its allegiance to show that they are not happy with what is happening within the party and that will mean that Jubilee will become weaker within the Azimio coalition," he stated.
Tales of Betrayal
On whether or not Uhuru betrayed the Azimio leader Raila Odinga, Mutie held that Uhuru genuinely supported the opposition leader in his political journey to battle for the 2022 presidential seat.
He added that he still supported him even after the elections and that claims that he may have acted behind his back did not have any strong argument.
"It was only unfortunate that they did not win but from his sentiments he genuinely supported Raila. Those saying he betrayed him do not have any substantial reason for the claims,” he noted.
