Uhuru’s body wants to quit politics, but his spirit doesn't

President Uhuru Kenyatta at State Lodge in Sagana, Nyeri County on February 23, 2022. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

During the Sagana III on Wednesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta consciously disputed claims that he wanted to remain in power. But, while Uhuru’s political body is willing to retire from politics, his spirit and that of the Gikuyu community is shouting otherwise.

Unless the president stops speaking in Gikuyu language whenever he addresses the mountain, he will be lured back as president in future. If he stops speaking in Gikuyu, he could painfully lose the vision of his legacy. Why? Because the Agikuyu will be left with what he said in 2013 and 2017, and as the late Benga musician John De'Mathew immortalised in his 2018 post-handshake songs like ‘Twambe turihe thiiri’, ‘Ngoro Gitina Part II,' and 'My Friend', to mention but a few.

Last week, I spent a night in Nyeri town and couldn’t sleep at all because a nearby club was methodically playing De'Mathew's 2013 to 2018 pro-Jubilee and pro-Ruto political songs repeatedly. I could feel the excitement of those dancing to the songs. Those who have interacted with the late De'Mathew's music know well that he was the only artiste who could compete with Uhuru Kenyatta as the House of Mumbi spokesman. He referred to Uhuru as ‘my brother’, just as he referred to Ruto as ‘my friend’—a term Ruto picked as his political signature.

If it’s not enough to say that Uhuru has reached the political eureka moment, then like Rene Descartes, he has had a cogito, ergo sum moment. The French philosopher demonstrated the attainment of knowledge after a methodical doubt about his existence. Cogito ergo sum means "I think therefore I am".

Examining Uhuru’s sentiments during Sagana III, it is clear the president conceded his undisputed Mount Kenya kingpinship. He is now ready to carry his cross. He has also accepted that no one else can replace him. He must strengthen himself.

Political pundits have always proposed that Uhuru retires like Kibaki and Moi. But, of course, Moi did not leave without showing a direction—he prophetically saw 2013 in 2002. Many people thought Mzee was out of his mind. But, he lived to see his dream come true and died a gratified man. Kibaki was disinterested in post-Kibaki politics.

Unlike Kibaki and Moi, Uhuru has just attained the political age of adoring his career. Therefore, he is surprised that in 2013, he needed a kingmaker. He could be the first president to retire and take over the king-making role in Kenyan history. Therefore, Uhuru is expected to offer a voice of reason to Mount Kenya region beyond his term.

Moreover, he is interested in cementing his legacy and leaving power to a person he believes will safeguard what he has dreamt of. His cogito ergo sum moment has come at a time when his term is ending, and he must be thinking of having an heir to do what he should have dreamt of 10 years ago.

Every leader will be satisfied if he leaves no power to his nemesis—whether the nemesis is hard or soft. For this reason, during Sagana III on Wednesday, he implored his people to support Raila Odinga. To secure his future, he said if Ruto mends his ways, he has no problem if the mountain supports him.

Therefore, Ruto must seek Uhuru's blessings if he becomes president. Indeed, to those who have claimed that Uhuru has wronged him, I tell you Ruto will have to apologise to Uhuru. So, having Uhuru at his bosom will be the only way for his regime to be established.

On the other hand, if Raila becomes president, he must owe everything to Uhuru. In Raila's government, Uhuru will be the lead consultant. So, Uhuru is not retiring from politics. Political Chessboard, the oracle of the political heavens, has spoken. Selah!

Dr Ndonye Is a Lecturer of Communication and Media. @Dr_Mndonye