Mama Ngina speaks on upcoming presidential election, says the war is tough

Mama Ngina Kenyatta, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s mother, has urged youth in Gatundu South Constituency to come out in large numbers and re-elect President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 8 polls, saying “Uhuru has a vision for this country that he is yet to complete, thus needs a second term as Head of State”.

Mama Ngina Kenyatta was speaking on Thursday, March 16, at Gitundu Village in Gatundu South Constituency, Kiambu County during the funeral of a relative, Paul Muhoho Gathecha.

The former First Lady expressed fear that the August 8 presidential election will be a tightly contested race, referring to it as a “war” that “can only be won if the youth voted in Mr Kenyatta”.

“I am urging all of you to come out in large numbers and vote because the war (presidential election) is going to be big, and we need to stand together to give Uhuru a win. Remember having a voter’s card is not just enough, please ensure on August 8 you wake up early in the morning to vote in Uhuru because the war won’t be easy. The only way we will emerge victorious is if we stand together,” said Mama Ngina Kenyatta in Kikuyu.

“This will ensure that we give Uhuru another five years as President to be able to run this country and take it forward, leaving behind a legacy for this nation that he had dreamt of,” she added.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate, Deputy President William Ruto, will face off a NASA candidate, who is yet to be unveiled, among other presidential hopefuls in the August 8 General Election.

NO PREFERRED CANDIDATE FOR MP

Mama Ngina Kenyatta, in her speech, said President Kenyatta has no favourite candidate for MP in Gatundu South Constituency, saying the leader that will be elected by the constituents is the one that the President will work alongside if he gets re-elected.

“You have heard the President saying, there is no one he prefers in Gatundu South Constituency for Parliamentary seat. The leader will be purely a consequence of your choice,” said Mama Ngina Kenyatta.

This is not the first time Mama Ngina Kenyatta has openly rooted for her son’s re-election bid.

In January, 2017, the former First Lady visited retired President Daniel Moi at his Kabarak home in Nakuru County to persuade the ex-Head of State to talk to his son, Baringo Senator and KANU Chair, Gideon Moi, to support team UhuRuto for Presidency in August 8.

Nearly three weeks later, President Kenyatta paid Moi Senior a courtesy call at his Kabarnet Gardens home, after which KANU announced that it will support his (Uhuru’s) re-election bid in August.

The meeting also came just days after KANU held a meeting and decided to make an announcement in two weeks to decide which coalition to support for the Presidency.

President Kenyatta and Gideon Moi share a longtime friendship just like their two families and even went to school, St Mary’s School Nairobi, at the same time.

KANU has decided to field candidates in all elective positions across the country except for President.