Deputy President William Ruto has vowed to unite Jubilee leaders.
The Deputy President has also urged the Jubilee politicians to abandon their factions and steer the country forward as a team.
The DP seemed to address the Tanga Tanga and Kieleweke political groupings. Tanga Tanga group backs Dr Ruto's 2022 presidential bid while Kieleweke rallies behind President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The wrangles largely developed following the March 2018 peace pact between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Dr Ruto, who spoke at St Mary’s Catholic Church on Sunday during a fundraiser, said he would ensure that the Jubilee government delivers its promises to Kenyans.
“I urge Jubilee elected leaders to abandon their political affiliations. We have one leader, who is the President; we are one team with one agenda. I will mobilise all our leaders to go in one direction,” said Dr Ruto, adding that Jubilee government is committed to uniting Kenyans.
He however dismissed those who were against his central Kenya tours, saying he will continue visiting the region to inspect projects initiated by the President.
“I will continue coming to Murang’a as many times as possible to monitor the projects initiated by the President. If anything goes wrong, I will be put to task,” he said.
Dr Ruto, who was hosted by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, was accompanied by over 10 legislators.
“Our friends joined us with a hidden card to mudsling the work done by Jubilee government and they want to create a prime minister’s position for Raila Odinga and we shall not accept that, we know where the President and his deputy came from and we shall stick to their promises,” Mr Nyoro said.
Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua said although they accepted handshake, they are opposed to some moves being initiated by ODM members.
“The President told us to accept handshake but we won’t allow ODM to call us thieves when we give offerings in churches,” he said.
The leaders vowed to oppose any proposal to put limits on the amount of money that leaders can contribute in churches.
“We can’t be dictated on how much we shall contribute in churches, the bill is being directed to Dr Ruto and we shall oppose it. If one does not want to contribute his money to the church, let him not include us,” Maragua lawmaker Mary Waithira said.
Other MPs who accompanied the DP included Alice Wahome (Kandara) Wangui Ngirichi (Kirinyaga) Antony Kiai (Tetu) Faith Gitau (Nyandarua) and James Gakuya (Embakasi South).
MPs Ruth Mwaniki (Kigumo) Nduati Ngugi (Gatanga) and Peter Kimari (Mathioya) addressing the press at Gatanga Catholic Church in Murang'a County on August 4, 2019. PHOTO | NDUNGU GACHANE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Kieleweke group that worshipped at Gatanga Catholic Church accused Dr Ruto of dividing Mt Kenya leaders.
Led by Gatanga MP Nduati Ngugi, Peter Kimari (Mathioya) and Wangari Mwaniki (Kigumo), the lawmakers said they recognised President Kenyatta as Mt Kenya kingpin.
“The President will remain the region's political leader. It is wrong for anyone to come to divide Mt Kenya leaders for the sake of 2022 election even when the President is urging us to stop premature campaigns,” Mr Ngugi said.
His sentiments were echoed by Ms Mwaniki. "President Kenyatta remains the leader of this region and it is him who will lead in negotiations or direct the political future of Mt Kenya region in 2022," she said.
Mr Kimari said it is not the business of Dr Ruto to unite Mt Kenya leaders. "Deputy President is only a principal assistant to the President and therefore it is the President who can unite leaders should there be any division," Mr Kimari said.
In Nyandarua, Kieleweke team leader Maina Kamanda told off leaders who were opposed to President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga’s unity pact.
"The handshake between President Kenyatta and the opposition leader has helped in fighting graft and those who are engaging in unnecessary debate about it should keep off,” Mr Kamanda said.
Speaking at Mairo Inya St Luke Catholic Church on Sunday, the MP alleged that those who were fighting the handshake had plundered public resources and were doing this to scuttle the war on corruption.
He noted that the handshake had also helped in fostering peace in the country. He old off those spreading negative stories about Mr Odinga.
“Without the handshake, we would not be having a country called Kenya now,” he said.
"Those who have resorted to attacking Mr Odinga should refrain and allow this country to forge ahead," he said adding that the opposition leader means well for the nation.
The MP urged church leaders not accept donations from politicians noting that some of the money being donated to churches had been acquired through corrupt deals.
"Some leaders have money in their houses and are rushing to beat the October (2019) deadline to return old notes. Church leaders should avoid accepting money acquired through corrupt deals,” he added.
