When President William Ruto hosted his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta at State House on Friday, debate arose over whether the former president still wields any political influence capable of swaying the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi sparked the debate by stating that Mr. Kenyatta is in no position to advise anyone on elections, alleging that he abandoned ODM leader Raila Odinga during the August 2022 polls.
Speaking on Friday, Mr Mbadi said that it would be best for the ODM party to continue working with the UDA party without involving Mr. Kenyatta in political talks.
He further argued that Kenyatta lacked the ability to make the former Prime Minister President of Kenya, accusing him of deceiving ODM supporters with false hopes during their close political cooperation through the handshake.
“He deceived us that he would give us the presidency when he held all state power. But before our eyes, he handed over power to President Ruto,” said Mr. Mbadi.
Mr Mbadi also claimed that politicians from the Mt. Kenya region have a history of abandoning presidential candidates from the lake region, particularly Mr. Odinga.
He urged Nyanza residents to support the Kenya Kwanza government.
“We have formed a partnership with our brothers (UDA). We have no intention of parting ways even after 2027. They have shown they are people who can support us,” he said.
According to Mbadi, retired president Kenyatta has been in communication with Mr. Odinga and his team, promising to help them win the presidency.
He claimed that Kenyatta had vowed to ensure Odinga clinches the presidency. However, Mbadi dismissed the promise as meaningless given Kenyatta’s political history.
“He had power but did not give us the presidency. How can he do it now when Ruto holds power?” he posed.
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