President Kenyatta: I have a say on who the next president is

President Uhuru Kenyatta has said that he is at liberty to pick whoever he deems best to succeed him in the August General Election.

President Kenyatta, speaking in Changamwe, Mombasa County on Monday, said that although he is not propping anyone as his successor, he has the freedom to select who is best suited to be president.

“Sasa kipindi cha siasa kimefika na mtatusikia. Kuna wakati wa kazi na wakati wa siasa, sasa kila mtu akona uhuru; wale ambao walitangulia na wale ambao tunaingia,” said President Kenyatta.

“Hii ni marathon, na mimi sina project ya mtu lakini nitaangalia kura yangu niweke kwa mtu ambaye nitaamini na kama mtu mmoja ama wawili wataniskiza nitawaambia mimi oni langu ni hivi,” he added.

The Head of State further advised Kenyans to choose their leaders wisely come August, warning them against anyone perpetuating hate and divisive politics.

“Tuunde serikali ambayo itaweza kuendeleza hiyo kazi na kuiongezea hata zaidi na iwe serikali ya umoja na amani.. Sio ile chuki nimeskia wengine wakitupa huko, chuki haijengi nchi,” said the president.

President Kenyatta was speaking during the launch of the Universal Health Coverage program.

At the same time, Kenyatta noted that he was proud of the work his Jubilee administration had accomplished despite divisions that have marred the coalition during its second term.

“Chama chetu cha Jubilee kimekuwa kazini na sitachoka kuonyesha wakenya kazi ambayo tumefanya na kuwaambia wachague chama chetu na wale wengine tunafanya kazi nao,” stated Kenyatta.

In thinly-veiled jabs to his critics led by Deputy President Wiliam Ruto, the president further said that he had no time for politicking as he was focusing on delivering his promises.

“Wewe ambaye unataka kuishi ukiongea siasa mchana mpaka usiku? Nilisema kwa heshima, tufanye kazi tutarudi wakati wa siasa ukifika… niliambiwa ‘wewe huna uwezo wa kutuambia tuwache, wacha sisi tutangatange," he said.

He further noted: “Mimi nawaangalia nasema ongeeni tu, na siwajibu. Nitajibu saa ngapi na tufanye kazi saa ngapi?”