I Will Hand over Power But Raila is My President – Uhuru

Uhuru Kenyatta, the outgoing president, has once more vowed to handover power to William Ruto in a peaceful manner.

Speaking to the leaders at an Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party parliamentary group at Maasai Lodge, Uhuru declared that he will handover since it is required by the Constitution.

Despite the results of the presidential election on August 9, he stated that he will only recognize Raila Odinga as his leader.

“…I will hand over power smiling because it’s my Constitutional duty to do so, but my leader is Baba Raila Odinga,” Uhuru said.

Read: Uhuru, Ruto Finally Discuss Transition of Power, August Polls

At the same time, the outgoing president claimed that by not electing the Azimio leader to the presidency, Kenyans missed an opportunity to promote national unity.

“You denied yourself an opportunity to bring the country together, You haven’t denied Raila. Msiwekwe Kwa mfuko,” he added.

He said that if Azimio had won the election, former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka would have been the ideal Chief Minister for Kenya.

If he (Kalonzo) wins the Senate Speakership, Uhuru said, he will be a strong advocate for the Azimio agenda.

Read Also: Uhuru Pledges Smooth Transfer of Power, Congratulates Elected Leaders

This was the first time the outgoing head of state is meeting with the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance legislative caucus.

He paid former Kenyan leader Raila Odinga a visit on Tuesday evening at his residence in Karen.

This morning, President-elect William Ruto revealed that he talked with his soon to be former boss.

In a tweet, Dr Ruto said they discussed transition of power and the just concluded polls.

Read Also: Mishra Apologizes For Defying President-elect Ruto

“I had a telephone conversation with my boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta. We discussed the just concluded General Election and the transition as envisaged by our democratic tradition and practice,” wrote the President-elect.

The outgoing deputy president on Monday revealed that he had not spoken to his boss in months. This he revealed after the Supreme Court upheld his victory.

“I have not talked to him in months but shortly I will be making a call to him so that we can have a conversation on the process of transition,” he said amid laughter from the audience.

On a lighter note, the UDA party leader noted that his boss had worked hard to ensure that his preferred candidate, Raila Odinga, emerged victorious.

Read Also: Azimio Fronts Marende for National Assembly Speaker, Kalonzo in Senate

“I know he worked hard in his way but the people of Kenya made their decision. Remember, I did not give him any conditions to support me, we remain friends, as we have been in the context of where we are,” said Dr Ruto.

Uhuru in his televised address on Monday night congratulated all the elected leaders but failed to mention Dr Ruto by name.

“I want to wish well all who have won as they guide our country into the future. I thank you all for the opportunity to serve,” he said.