Uhuru predicts 20-year run for Jubilee

President Uhuru Kenyatta struck the right cord with the people of Uasin Gishu County when he suggested that the region’s favourite son, William Ruto, would succeed him after his two terms expire.

During the Thursday visit to Eldoret’s Moi University where he received an honorary doctorate, the President said the Jubilee Government would be in charge for two decades, 10 years for him before handing over to his deputy Mr Ruto, regarded as the de-facto leader of the Kalenjin Rift Valley.

It was the first time the President publicly gave an indication of the Jubilee coalition’s succession plan after their joint ticket was victorious in the the March 4 General Election.

“The electioneering period is over, and those who are eyeing the leadership of this country should wait for five years before the next General Election. But one thing is certain is that Jubilee will lead for the next 20 years,” said President Kenyatta.

In an apparent reference to the opposition, Mr Kenyatta criticised “greedy” individuals trying to take over the country’s leadership through unorthodox means.

“Those who lost in the General Election should wait for another chance instead of behaving like hyenas,” he said.

President Kenyatta also moved to calm fears over the court cases going on at the International Criminal Court.

“Those who think we are leaving soon because of the criminal case against humanity currently going on at The Hague should wait for me to clear my two terms, but they should also know that Ruto has his 10 years, too,” the President said.

While seeking to consolidate his sway over the populous Kalenjin community, the President’s visit and statement are seen as soldifying ties beween the Kalenjin and Kikuyu communities that have, over the years, been in conflict during election periods.

But political analysts have said Mr Kenyatta’s claims of a 20-year Jubilee State House could be simply a political mind game to shore up support for the coalition in Ruto’s backyard.

Politician Kipkorir arap Menjo, one of Mr Odinga’s key lieutenants in the North Rift, said it all depends on what the government does for the people.

“For Jubilee to win the next General Election, a lot depends on what they have to offer for Kenyans now,” he said.

Retired Major John Seii, the chairman of Kalenjin Council of Elders, said the claim was a tactic to frustrate opposition Cord.

“It does not matter who becomes president, it is all about uniting Kenyans,” he said. Members of the Kikuyu community in the North Rift region recently threw their support behind the three ICC suspects, saying they feel injured and humiliated by the trial facing President Kenyatta, Mr Ruto and journalist Joshua arap Sang.

Reported by MAZERA NDURYA [email protected] Twitter: @mazerandurya AND COPPERFIELD LAGAT [email protected] Twitter: @copperlagat