President Uhuru Kenyatta responds to DP William Ruto allies on dynasty politics

Uhuru responds to Ruto allies on dynasty politics

Tony Mukere

August 22, 2019 3:58 PM

Ruto was present when Uhuru issued the response

President Uhuru Kenyatta responds to DP William Ruto allies on dynasty politics

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday responded to a narrative that has been spread by Deputy President William Ruto and his allies, calling for an end to dynasty politics.

President Kenyatta, who has been accused of being a beneficiary of the Kenyatta dynasty, said leadership was not about dynasties but about the willingness to serve the people.

The head of state spoke while attending the 41^st memorial of his father, Kenya’s founding President, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta - an event which was also attended by the DP.

Kenyatta recognized that his statement was likely to be understood in political terms – clarifying that he was not targeting any politician with the comments.

"Sijui sasa kama nitaambiwa naongea siasa lakini (I don’t know if I will be accused of playing poolitics), I am not. I promise. I have no such intention. But, you know, when you hear people out there, you know they talk ooh, huyu mtu flani dynasty hii, sijui dynasty hii (so and so belongs to this dynasty),”

“It's not about that. Leadership is not about where you were born, it's not about where you came from, it's not about the colour of your skin, it's not about your tribe. It is just about a desire to serve, a desire to do good, a desire to make a difference in the lives of people. And anybody can do that,” he stated.

The dynasty term has been popularized by Ruto’s term that has sought to characterize the 2022 presidential race as one between the hustler (self-made individuals) and dynasties.

Those who have been labelled as dynasties include the President, ODM Leader Raila Odinga whose father served as Kenya’s founding Vice President, Baringo Senator Gideon Moi (son to Kenya’s second President Daniel arap Moi), and Musalia Mudavadi.

Musalia is the son to a former powerful Cabinet Minister, the late Moses Mudavadi.

Tony Mukere