Uhuru tells Kenyans: 'Elect truthful leaders, not sweet-talking politicians in 2027'

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged Kenyans to put integrity and leadership qualities ahead of political eloquence and flair when electing leaders in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during the burial of former Kirinyaga Senator Daniel Karaba, Mr Kenyatta said he had warned Kenyans during the 2022 polls, but voters ignored him.

“I warned you but it is your own problem. But no worries. Politicians have very sweet tongues,” he said.

He noted that the people of Kenya need to listen to leaders, but not to every politician out there.

“Some politicians usually have honey inside their tongues,” he joked.

He further stated that politicians can convince you to surrender the most precious thing you have.

“They convince you to give them your precious lastborn daughter, not knowing that you have given her out to... let me stop at that,” he said.

He described the late Karaba as a true servant of Kenyans during his lifetime adding that he was a leader who would tell the people the truth as it is, whether good or bad.

Karaba contested the Kirinyaga senatorial seat on a Jubilee Party ticket in 2022 but was trounced by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party wave.

"The late Karaba stood by the truth and did not depart from it. Be careful this time round. Source for leaders but not politicians. Take your time and look for leaders who will tell you the truth no matter how hard the situation could be,” Mr Kenyatta said.

He said that immediately after he handed over power to President William Ruto, he retreated to Ichaweri and resolved to listen to the ground--a stance closely related to the slogan used by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), “Skiza Mwananchi”.

Other leaders present included Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina, Siaya Governor James Orengo, People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and Wiper Patriotic Front Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

“I am not the one who has mobilised these leaders. I only thought I would be here with my sister Martha Karua and not these other leaders,” Mr Kenyatta said.

He urged religious leaders to leave earthly leadership decisions to earthly leaders who understand the murky waters of politics.

He urged religious leaders not to mislead congregants, emphasizing that they contributed immensely to “misleading the country to head in the wrong direction during the 2022 General Election”.