Uhuru: I will not quit, only MPs can push me out of post

By Mutinda Mwanzia

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to stay put despite calls for his resignation.

Uhuru insisted that he would not step down as one of the two deputy prime ministers, adding that only a vote of no confidence would remove him from office.

"Let those pushing the clamour to oust me bring a Motion in Parliament and we will fight it out there. The law protects my office," he declared.

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka urged Uhuru to stay put in office, adding that those pushing him to resign as the DPM, want to set the stage for the collapse of the Coalition Government.

"I had in fact told Uhuru and Muthaura not to resign since by doing so they would be betraying the interests of many Kenyans," said Kalonzo.

William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta wave to the crowd in Ruiru on Saturday.[Photo: John Muchucha/ Standard]

Assistant Minister and Nithi MP Kareke Mbiuki and Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo urged the Wiper party to sack Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo as its Secretary General, terming him a disgrace.

"We have given him an office yet he is even contradicting the party leader," said Kilonzo.

But in a swift rejoinder, Mutula told off Kalonzo and his critics terming them political opportunists.

Mutula said he would not be shaken by their attacks, adding that it was immoral for the Vice-President to consort with persons charged with crimes against humanity.

"I am not losing any sleep due to their shouts, but I can tell you for free that the law will catch up with them. Let them grand- stand, but the Constitution will reign supreme," Mutula told The Standard On Sunday.

Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka said Kalonzo was committed to ensuring that whoever wins PNU Alliance presidential nominations would be supported.

Munyaka said there was no stopping Kalonzo, Uhuru, and Ruto in their march to State House.

The politicians were speaking on Saturday at a second prayer rally in as many days by the G7 group in Ruiru Stadium, Kiambu County.

Kalonzo joined presidential hopefuls Uhuru and Ruto in their prayer rallies where allies of the two ICC suspects vowed to boycott the General Election if the names of the accused are not in the ballot.

Fifty MPs drawn from various political parties said there was no provision in the Constitution barring Uhuru and Ruto from the presidential race.

Belgut MP Charles Keter sounded the elections boycott clarion call, saying if Uhuru and Ruto are locked out of the State House race, then they would mobilise their supporters to boycott the polls.

Branded opportunist

The rally was also a forum to hit out at Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo who has insisted that Uhuru and Ruto should stop their presidential ambitions due to the ICC charges.

Kalonzo declared he was not a traitor, adding he would not benefit from the ICC ruling that confirmed charges against Uhuru and Ruto.

He said that he saved the country and especially the people of central Kenya when he joined Kibaki to form a government after the disputed 2007 presidential election results.

Kalonzo said he was not a coward, adding those who have branded him an opportunist did not understand him.

"Some are saying that I am crying crocodile tears for Uhuru and Ruto and that is not true. I mean well for them," said Kalonzo.

Ruto said nothing barred them from the presidential race, adding their political enemies were behind the scheme to lock them out of the race. But Ruto did not mention Chapter Six of the Constitution that demands integrity in public office.

Ministers Kiraitu Murungi, Amos Kimunya, Robinson Githae, Chirau Ali Mwakwere, Samuel Poghisio, Naomi Shabaan and presidential hopefuls Raphael Tuju, Eugene Wamalwa, and Cyrus Jirongo were also present.

The leaders lauded Prime Minister’s Raila Odinga’s wife, Ida Odinga, for supporting a local mechanism to try those facing ICC charges.