In a recent interview on KTN News, Kikuyu MP and National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung’wah, spoke openly about his past and current relationship with former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The interview, hosted by journalist Ken Mijungu, gave Kenyans a rare insight into the dynamics of the political differences between the two leaders and how things stand today.
Ichung’wah began by acknowledging that he served under Uhuru Kenyatta’s leadership for 10 years when he was a first-time Member of Parliament.
He described this period as a learning experience where he respected Uhuru’s leadership and vision for the country.
However, he explained that things started to change in 2018 when political disagreements began to emerge.
One major point of disagreement was the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
While Uhuru Kenyatta supported the BBI project, Ichung’wah and others allied to then Deputy President William Ruto rejected it.
They believed that the BBI was not the solution to the country’s problems and that it was being used to advance certain political interests.
This created a significant rift between Ichung’wah and the president he once supported.
As the 2022 elections approached, the gap between them widened further.
Uhuru endorsed Raila Odinga as his preferred candidate, while Ichung’wah remained loyal to William Ruto.
In the end, Raila lost the election to Ruto, solidifying the divide between the two camps.
Despite these differences, Ichung’wah pointed out that in politics, people are entitled to their own opinions and beliefs.
He emphasized that political differences do not necessarily translate to personal hatred.
He explained that their disagreements were purely based on different visions for Kenya’s future.
Interestingly, Ichung’wah revealed that his current relationship with Uhuru Kenyatta is still good.
He explained that political rivalry does not mean that people stop communicating or showing respect for each other.
He even mentioned that he advised President William Ruto to reach out to Uhuru and engage him in discussions.
According to Ichung’wah, maintaining dialogue is essential for national unity and development.
“Politics is just politics. Beyond that, we are still Kenyans who want the best for our country,” he said.
This statement highlights the importance of separating political competition from personal relationships.
It is a message of hope for Kenyans who are often divided by political allegiances.
Ichung’wah’s admission serves as a reminder that despite the heated political battles, leaders can still work together for the good of the country.
He believes that reaching out to former leaders like Uhuru Kenyatta is necessary to move the country forward.
His words come at a time when President Ruto has been making efforts to reconcile with his former political rivals, including Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta.
This approach aims to create a more unified and peaceful political environment in Kenya.
Many Kenyans hope that these reconciliations will lead to less political tension and more focus on solving the country’s pressing issues, such as the economy and unemployment.
While political differences are inevitable, Ichung’wah’s perspective shows that dialogue and mutual respect can help build a stronger, more united nation.
By Nairobi