Handshake was “Political Bad Manners” – Speaker Muturi

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has castigated President Uhuru Kenyatta for supporting Raila Odinga, an opposition leader, for the top job in the August poll.

Muturi who was on Sunday endorsed as the Democratic Party (DP) presidential flagbearer, referred to the handshake as political bad manners.

This he said as he ruled out joining a coalition ahead of the polls.

“Show me anywhere in the world in a functional democracy where a sitting government decides to join forces with the opposition to form another government with complete disregard to their own?” he posed during the party’s National Delegates Convention (NDC) held at the Bomas of Kenya.

Read: The Corrupt Should Face the Firing Squad – Speaker Muturi

He added, “These are the political bad manners that I am talking about. We must stand for something and not just the pursuit of power.”

Muturi also accused the president of betrayal for allegedly declining to honour a 2017 pre-election pact.

“I understand that political parties exist with the aim of capturing power either on their own or through coalitions but they must share common ideals and principles. However,  today we hear “the ground is not good”.. Really? Are leaders not supposed to lead especially where the people have gone wrong? Do they join the lost flock in the wilderness or guide them back to a safe haven?” he posed.

The party unanimously resolved to go at it alone with the former Gatanga MP as their leader.

Read Also: Speaker Muturi Accuses DP Ruto, Mudavadi of Plagiarizing “Kenya Kwanza” Slogan

“We as DP shall not enter into any pre-election pact with any party but consider post-election deal when the right time comes. We have also unanimously endorsed Justin Muturi to be our flag bearer in the forthcoming elections,” resolved the party.

He also revealed that he had been approached by two coalitions and promised a government position. He declined their offers.

“I was told to choose the lesser of the two evils to get a position in government, but I said no because  DP  stands for different ideals,” he told the delegates.

Joseph Munyao who stepped down as the party leader in support of Muturi said the Jubilee administration had promised to engage them in government projects in 2017, but they did not make good their word.

“In the 2017, we held our NDC, where we publicly supported the Jubilee flag bearer for Presidency. In return for our support, Jubilee promised to engage our party in government programs. Today, almost five years later, I am sad to report to you that the support we gave to that party has never been reciprocated,” said Munyao.