Jubilee MPs react angrily to Mbadi’s criticism of Uhuru, Ruto

Accusations and counter accusations pitting Jubilee and the opposition camps regarding President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto’s barbs against CORD leader Raila Odinga has escalated to higher levels.

Jubilee legislators led by Johnson Sakaja (Nominated), Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes), Rachael Shebesh (Nairobi), Ndung’u Githinji (Tetu) and nominated Senator Beatrice Elachi have responded angrily to Suba MP and ODM chairman John Mbadi’s statement regarding the president and his deputy’s remarks while on a tour of Central Kenya.

Mbadi had castigated the president over what he termed as “the display of raw anger” and use of insults in their speeches during their tour, adding that he is now taking the country in a dangerous direction.

The ODM chairman further likened Deputy President William Ruto to a jilted lover and accused him of “throwing insults”.

The Jubilee politicians in their response termed Mbadi’s comments as ‘false, baseless and pointless.’

“Mr Mbadi’s attempt to convince Kenyans that the President’s reasonable criticisms of Mr Odinga’s demeanour and agenda were, in some way, an incitement to do damage cannot stand unchallenged,” they said.

In a statement to newsrooms, the legislators said the president and his deputy were exercising their fundamental freedom to speech and sought to remind Mbadi, and by extension Raila Odinga, that as leaders, the president and his deputy have a duty to warn Kenyans of impending danger.

They assured the opposition camp that such criticisms and scrutiny of leaders demeanor, agenda as well as past and present conduct will continue, further advising Mr Odinga to “retire from politics” if he cannot handle them.

They warned Mr Odinga and his followers against inciting Kenyans to violence, claiming that the opposition camp had instigated violence in past two incidents that resulted in loss of lives.

“This government will not allow him to cause Kenyans to harm each other ever again,” read the statement.