As Azimio la Umoja Coalition leader Raila Odinga braces for a major grueling political battle against Kenya Kwanza administration over the grilling of four dissenting commissioners, most of his allies from Mt. Kenya region have started distancing themselves from his expected mass action.
Among them is president William Ruto’s fierce critic Bishop David Ngari alias Gakuyo who mobilized more than 300 clergy from Thika to reject Raila’s call for mass action and instead support President Ruto.
Gakuyo however, stunned the gathering when he divulged that the former president Uhuru Kenyatta coerced him to support Raila at ‘gunpoint’ saying freedom has finally come with Ruto. The hitherto Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition diehard who unsuccessfully vied for Thika parliamentary seat in Jubilee ticket but lost to UDAs Alice Nganga, termed Ruto a hero not like Uhuru and Raila who used and dumped them leaving them in chains.
“I suffered threats and intimidation as I served Uhuru and sometimes government operatives would point a gun to me if I wavered to support Ruto”. Confessed Bishop Gakuyo.
The Thika based outspoken preacher turned politician was all praises to Ruto for demonstrating quality leadership and political prowess by tackling some of the disturbing issues his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta failed to deliver. Among these underlying issues include the immediate swearing in of Judges the first day in office, lowering interest rates by Fuliza and releasing political prisoners among others.
The bishop faulted Azimio leaders for being selfish and nominating their children to EALA while there were so many Kenyans who supported them. He further said the planned mass action was meant to benefit them individually and not Kenyans adding that the church cannot afford to go against a legally constituted government that is also rubber-stamped by God.
His sentiments were echoed by officials of Covenant Clergy Alliance who claimed that the poor status of our economy which they termed to be in the doldrums does not allow for street protests as this would undermine their hard hit businesses and return the country to the dark days.
Bishop David Njoroge and Rev. Patricia Wanjiku said the government is at crawling stage and should be given time before condemning it. “Raila is bitter because he lost elections and thought we supported him during elections, we are now supporting the government”. Said Bishop Njoroge.
They pledged undying support for president Ruto.