President Kenyatta speaks on CJ Maragas advisory, denies sidelining DP Ruto

President Kenyatta speaks on CJ Maragas advisory, denies sidelining DP Ruto

President Uhuru Kenyatta has broken his silence on the advisory issued to him by Chief Justice David Maraga to dissolve Parliament for failing to enact the two-thirds gender rule.

Speaking in an interview with France 24, a state-owned TV network in France, Kenyatta said it is a regret that Parliament has failed to enact the two-thirds gender rule but noted that it is not his intention to dissolve it as recommended by CJ Maraga.

“It is indeed a regret but at the same time the spirit of the Constitution was one progressively getting there… At the end of the day, we must recognise that we must balance the rights of the citizens to elect their representatives and the need for us to have gender parity,” said Kenyatta, as he acknowledged that it is not easy to achieve gender two-thirds gender principle.

“It (dissolving Parliament) is not what I would like to do but it is an option that has been put forward by the Chief Justice. We wait to see the outcome of the court process and that will be the time to decide which is going to be the way forward,” President Kenyatta added.

CJ advised President to dissolve Parliament
Parliament faulted for failure to pass the crucial gender law#DayBreak w/ @WaihigaMwaura pic.twitter.com/0996Rpsldb

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 2, 2020

Regarding his tense relationship with Deputy President William Ruto, President Kenyatta insisted that he has not sidelined his deputy by working with ODM leader Raila Odinga.

He maintained that he is working with the opposition to achieve inclusivity in the country.

“There are some who feel that me reaching out to the opposition is meant to sideline William Ruto but there is nothing more to the contrary. What we are trying to do is bring people together to agree on issues that divide us and then be in a position to actually have an election where the people of Kenya will have the opportunity to choose a leader and have a system that is more inclusive where the results will be such that there is acceptability,” said Kenyatta.

On whether he will support DP Ruto in 2022, Kenyatta remained non-committal instead saying he is currently committed to peace, stability and prosperity” for Kenyans.

President: I will focus on development and not succession politics
President Kenyatta says now not the time to campaign for 2022 Presidential elections
Head of State says handshake not aimed at weakening DP William Ruto#DayBreak w/ @WaihigaMwaura pic.twitter.com/DSG7tOltbk

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 2, 2020

The President once again insisted that he would not seek to change the constitution to seek a third presidential term or become Prime Minister, adding that he did not wish to remain in power.

President Kenyatta also denied reports that there are plans to have the US military launch drone strikes inside Kenya.

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Uhuru kenyatta Chief Justice Maraga

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