Uhuru on his achievements, regrets and future plans as 10-year tenure comes to a close

President Uhuru Kenyatta bid his Mount Kenya political backyard goodbye on Sunday evening with a two-hour long live interview broadcast on all the major television and radio stations from the vote-rich region.

The interview, which was misread by Uhuru’s political opponents as an extension of campaigns for his preferred candidate Raila Odinga -beyond the official period- laid bare his achievements/failures of the 10 years he has been in office, challenges and future plans.

Right leader

“I do not want to campaign because that period is over, but you all know where my stand is. I am for the person looking after the welfare of the people, not his own selfish interests,” he said.

President Kenyatta said he regrets that the Building Bridges Initiative, which envisioned more equitable distribution of the national cake flopped.

He also said lies and propaganda had watered down his noble intentions.

“I really regret that propaganda and lies have become so entrenched that we lacked the opportunity to get to where we wanted to but I am hopeful that the plans will come to pass.

“I would have been happier if the handshake did not generate the insults it did as it was meant to pacify the nation which it has done,” he said.

BBI's future

Though the BBI did not sail through, President Kenyatta expressed hope that the next government would look into it.

He also spoke about his achievements in infrastructural development, and elevating the country’s standing in the international community.

President Uhuru built more roads than the colonial government, and the administrations of Mzee Kenyatta, Daniel Arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki.

He noted that the SGR now has a cumulative passenger count of over 10 million, while hitherto neglected railway infrastructure connecting the capital city to major towns has been revived.

Forgive me

Though President Uhuru had a sour relationship with his Deputy William Ruto, he adopted a reconciliatory tone in the media interview. 

“For other things, I say there’s no human who is God or an angel, and those I may have offended, kindly know I do not wake up with the intention to harm anyone and forgive me,” he said.

The jury is still out on whether the interview had any influence on the voters in the Mount Kenya region, who, polls say, gravitate towards UDA candidate Ruto.

The region has nine counties namely Kiambu, Tharaka-Nithi, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Embu, Laikipia, Nyeri, Meru and Nyandarua. They have about 4.7 million votes.

On his future plans, President Kenyatta said he will be content with whiling time away with his grandchildren and will take up any international role he is called upon to carry out as a former Head of State.