Former Kenya’s First Lady, Mama Ngina Kenyatta, has defended her son, President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta’s decision to cut ties with his Deputy, William Samoei Arap Ruto.
Speaking at a burial in Gatundu, Kiambu County on Tuesday, March 22, the former First Lady alleged that the Deputy President absconded his duties, leading to the fallout between him and the Head of State, further asking the people of Mount Kenya region to follow the direction he (Uhuru) was leading them to.
“He (President Uhuru Kenyatta) had no ill will, but if your junior shows you disrespect, you don’t bother, you just continue moving forward. The direction which he is showing you, follow it,” she posed.
Mama Ngina also slammed critics of Uhuru’s leadership style noting that he always has the interests of the country and the people at heart. She lashed out at the critics, attributing their attacks on the Head of State to poor upbringing.
“Depending on how one is raised up, that is the exact same behaviour they will carry with them. If you were not taught to go insulting people, then you will not do it. I want to tell those who are engaging in insults that we will leave them like that, if at all they were taught insults while growing up, that is up to them,” she noted.
The former First Lady also defended Uhuru’s decision to back the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Odinga, in the race to succeed him in the upcoming polls.
She urged Kenyans to follow the footsteps of the President, whose aim is to steer the country on an upward trajectory.
“Let’s try to love each other, this country is ours and we should strive to move it forward. Your leader cannot show you the wrong path,” she highlighted.
“Let me tell you, you must know that the person who is sited under a tree is the one who knows what the insects around there are eating.”
This is the first time the Former First Lady has come out in public to make her political stance over the succession politics.