National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has challenged retired President Uhuru Kenyatta over his recent claim that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga won the 2022 presidential election. Wetang’ula questioned why Kenyatta handed over power to President William Ruto if he believed the 2022 election had been rigged. This was during a Sunday church service at Hewani Gospel PEFA Church in Garsen Constituency, Tana River County.
Last week, while handing over the leadership of the Jubilee Party to his deputy Fred Matiang’i, Uhuru said he remained convinced that Odinga won the 2022 presidential election. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission declared Ruto the winner, while the Supreme Court upheld the result. Wetang’ula expressed concerns that continued disputes over the 2022 election could reopen political divisions and create tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Wetang’ula questioned Kenyatta’s decision to hand over power to Ruto during the inauguration ceremony at Kasarani Stadium. “The same IEBC that declared you the winner in two elections is the same IEBC that declared William Ruto the winner of the 2022 presidential election. If you knew he never won, why did you stand at Kasarani and hand him the reins of power to lead the country?” he said.
The Speaker described Uhuru's remarks as unhelpful and unnecessary. “This anger being demonstrated by Uhuru Kenyatta is very unhelpful and unnecessary. The same person you supported as President in 2022 came to Kenya Kwanza and we developed the broad-based government because we recognised that Kenya is bigger than all of us,” he said. Wetang’ula urged Uhuru to respect the Constitution and called for dialogue among political leaders.
Wetang’ula also pledged to push for faster issuance of title deeds to squatters in Tana River, saying secure land ownership was critical to improving residents’ livelihoods. On development, Wetang’ula cited the revival of irrigation schemes, the Galana-Kulalu project and the proposed Mombasa-Narok-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway as projects that would boost economic activity, transport and trade.
The event was attended by several leaders, including Garsen MP Guyo Ali Wario, Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana and Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe. They praised Wetang’ula’s leadership and discussed various issues affecting the region, including the need for a governor with a strong understanding of financial management. Mugabe claimed residents in different parts of the country had expressed satisfaction with the distribution of national resources under President Ruto.
Wetang’ula urged Coast residents to support President Ruto for a second term, saying continuity was necessary to complete ongoing development projects. Key points:
Key points
- Wetang’ula challenges Uhuru Kenyatta over claim that Raila Odinga won 2022 election
- Wetang’ula questions Kenyatta’s decision to hand over power to President Ruto
- Wetang’ula urges Uhuru to respect Constitution and calls for dialogue among leaders
