Raila asks leaders to respect Uhuru, terms attacks as 'primitive'

Speaking on Monday during the Jubilee Party's National Delegates Conference (NDC), Odinga termed the attacks as "primitive and unwarranted."

“In recent months, we have seen very uncouth, primitive and unwarranted attacks on Uhuru Kenyatta and his family, including the founding president, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. Shame on them!" said Odinga.

"Nothing could be more uncouth than what we have witnessed, especially when it comes from men and women who call themselves leaders and expect to be respected after retirement."

The opposition leader noted that the retired president should be treated with dignity and decorum.

“I must commend my brother and former president Uhuru Kenyatta for the dignity and decorum he has borne insults for the sake of the nation's stability and the dignity of Kenya’s Presidency. I thank Uhuru for choosing to fly high when they have hit an extremely low," said Odinga.

"I call for respect of retired leaders, not because Uhuru is in Azimio, but because it is what I believe in and what civilised people should do and believe in.”

On his part, Kenyatta said he will not be cowed by some leaders he accused of disrespecting him.

Speaking at the Jubilee National Delegates Conference (NDC) at the Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi, Kenyatta said he was ready to retire from active politics after passing the mantle to President William Ruto last year until some unnamed people started intimidating him.

“I wanted to shelve politics, but others have decided that their work is to force and intimidate. Today, I want to tell you that, you can't do that to Uhuru Kenyatta,” he told delegates.

Kenyatta accused his detractors of abusing him and even alluded to March’s attack on his family’s Northlands farm in Kiambu, saying he remains Jubilee’s leader until the party members decide to pick another boss.

“Despite abuses and stealing goats and setting on fire people's farms, the party has its owners and until they decide I should hand over, I'll remain their party leader,” he said.