A new wave of political reorientation is slowly emerging in the Mt Kenya region, as some United Democratic Alliance (UDA) politicians are shifting their stance and shunning sustained attacks on retired President Uhuru Kenyatta. The latest addition to this growing list is Murang’a Woman Rep Betty Maina, who is demanding respect for the retired president.
During a bursary issuance function on May 9 at Kimorori Grounds in Kenol town, Ms. Maina expressed her concerns, stating, “We cannot continue like this… He has his place in our history and society. There are those good deeds he did for us during his tenure, and we must show him respect.” She emphasized that Mr. Kenyatta should be treated as a Mt Kenya son and that fighting against him is both foolish and counterproductive, especially when other regions unite behind their own leaders.
Ms. Maina lamented the fact that they were fighting against a man who has maintained his peace, and she argued that it is not asking too much to demand respect for him in return. It is worth noting that leaders in the Mt Kenya region had launched a no-holds-barred attack on Mr. Kenyatta prior to the August 9, 2022, general election, defying his preferred succession plan of supporting Raila Odinga, the presidential candidate of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party. Many UDA politicians gained prominence by speaking ill of the then-president, the Jubilee Party, and Mr. Odinga during their campaigns in the Mt Kenya region.
The competition intensified when Mr. Kenyatta dismissed the UDA wave, criticizing its members as “illiterate about the needs of the Mt Kenya region.” He highlighted disparities in educational bursaries and job opportunities, suggesting that the region was being neglected. However, this recent shift in sentiment among UDA politicians in the Mt Kenya region indicates a potential change in dynamics.
The emerging trend of demanding respect for the retired president signifies a desire for unity and a recognition of the positive contributions made by Mr. Kenyatta during his tenure.
