Kenya’s Interior minister Fred Matiang’i has warned those already campaigning for 2022 presidential election that there is no vacancy in the office of the President.
He told them to desist from derailing the government’s focus on national development.
The Cabinet secretary noted on Sunday that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), has the exclusive constitutional mandate of scheduling and commissioning presidential, parliamentary and civic elections and campaigns, yet power-hungry individuals, including some in the ruling Jubilee party, have disregarded this and are engaging in full-scale presidential campaigns nationwide.
Dr Matiang’i said the rallies and visits by delegations to various parts of the country are counterproductive and will derail President Uhuru Kenyatta’s agenda.
Matiang’i said, “We cannot politick day in day out. We have two years to the next general election but you would think the elections are being held tomorrow."
He added that power-hungry leaders in the ruling party started campaigning soon after the 2017 vote, implying failure to recognise Mr Kenyatta’s election and constitutional mandate to serve the people.
He said the nation can only be built through hard work, respect for elected leaders and support for a common national agenda.
. “There is a time for everything. The time for politicking will come. It is now time to work, concentrate on development and serve Kenyans as per the mandate given by the electorate.”
President Kenyatta's allies have also accused Deputy President William Ruto of engaging in early campaigns. And on Saturday, Raila Odinga, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, told the DP to resign if he feels dissatisfied with the government he helped to form.