Real Reason Uhuru Has Been Missing Azimio Events, Protests: Insider

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has been missing most of Azimio la Umoja's meetings as well as the weekly demonstrations despite his capacity as the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition Council Chairperson.

On Thursday, April 20, Azimio leader, Raila Odinga sent an apology on behalf of the former Head of State for missing the coalition's Murang’a Town hall meeting, as well as Wiper Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, who was also missing in action.

"Nawatumia salamu kutoka kwa Uhuru na Kalonzo, hawangeweza kufika hapa leo (I pass on greetings from Uhuru and Kalonzo who could not make it here today)," he said, assuring that they are supporting the coalition in their mandates.

On Thursday, April 6, Uhuru also sent an apology for missing the Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting that was held at the Stony Athi in Machakos County, whereby the coalition decided on its seven-member team to represent Raila in bipartisan talks with President William Ruto.

The former Head of State was also absent for the Azimio weekly demonstrations against President Ruto's government, despite him actively campaigning for Raila's presidency prior to the August 9, 2022 polls.

Political analyst Herman Manyora on Thursday, April 20 however pointed out that it was vital for Uhuru to remain outside the political spotlight so that he can continue to be respected and held in high regard for his service to the country.

Manyora at the same time called out a section of leaders from the Kenya Kwanza government for dragging former government leaders through the mud, particularly in the case of former Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang'i, whose alleged raid at his Karen home in February 2023 made headlines for weeks.

"It is necessary that a former Head of State keeps off politics. Our own experience as a country and our tradition and the culture that I want us to maintain is one where one will respect those who have been in office, that's why I called out the government when they went for Matiang'i.

"We have to learn to respect those who have served this country unless they engage in criminal activities in which case you tell the country they know and you arrest them and judge them, but witch hunting those who have served from the President to others is not good, then people get afraid and they fear to serve because they may be haunted in future," he stated during an interview with Esther Nyonje on YouTube.

Manyora, who is also a university lecturer, also believed in Uhuru keeping off the political scene as was the case with the late former Presidents Daniel Arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki and that any slight involvement in politics, even speaking out as a neutral, would do more harm than good for the country.

"It is important you keep out, you've been there, let the opposition and government fight it out themselves, you keep to the background. The important thing is for a former Head of State to be in the background and not to take an active role in politics from whichever side, not even neutral.

"Just mind your business, take your drink, run your financial empire and enjoy your life, play with your grandchildren, there's too much to do," he recommended to the former Head of State.

Manyora advised Uhuru to partake in other activities of importance, including his work as the peace envoy to Ethiopia and the Great Lakes Region tasked with resolving conflicts in DRC and Ethiopia by President Ruto.

"Go travel, do international work and philanthropy but not get involved in the politics of the country, it is very risky," he added.

"Those who do not know what Uhuru's involvement could mean had better come and ask me. If Uhuru were to accompany Raila in the streets, the whole town would come out, and I don't think Uhuru is a fool," he added.

A poll released by research firm Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA) on April 20 revealed that 59 per cent of Kenyans preferred that Uhuru should avoid politics and enjoy his retirement benefits.

However, five per cent of Kenyans were undecided about whether the former Head of State should be active in politics or enjoy his retirement.

“Only slightly over one-third of Kenyans (36%) believe that retired President Uhuru should remain active in politics. Even among Azimio supporters whose presidential candidate he supported in last year’s election (Odinga) barely half (51%) feel he should remain politically active in retirement, though (unsurprisingly) an overwhelming majority of Kenya Kwanza supporters (70%) hold a contrary view.