Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged residents of the Mt Kenya region to accept campaign handouts from politicians but reject leaders who fail to address the challenges facing ordinary Kenyans at the ballot.
Speaking during a Jubilee Party delegates meeting in Kiambu, Uhuru said wananchi should not be swayed by money distributed during political campaigns, arguing that their vote should instead be guided by the state of the economy and their livelihoods.
The former President accused some leaders of attempting to manipulate residents through financial inducements while ignoring the real problems affecting Kenyans.
Speaking in Kikuyu, Uhuru said: “They will come with money. Eat the money because it is your cash.”
“The money will be yours, what would be the problem if you take it? Eat the money and ask them to come back again another time,” he added.
Uhuru, however, cautioned residents that accepting handouts should not stop them from making independent political decisions at the ballot.
“But remember on voting day, you know what needs to be done. Isn’t that so? The voting day will be a time to change the country and livelihoods and the campaign period will be a time to go home with meat and to be well fed,” he said.
The remarks are likely to spark political debate, coming at a time when political camps are intensifying grassroots mobilisation ahead of future electoral contests.
Critics of the current administration have increasingly accused leaders of using donations and handouts to win public support amid growing economic hardship.
Uhuru also appeared to criticise leaders from the Mt Kenya region whom he accused of abandoning the interests of local residents and instead focusing on defending other political figures.
He said MPs in Parliament were busy praising and promoting the agenda of another person instead of speaking out about the economic struggles facing wananchi.
“Have you ever heard them speak about things that help you, things that touch you?” Uhuru posed.
“They just sing tunes of another person because they have been given something and it is in their pockets,” he added.
The former Head of State urged residents to reject leaders who fail to stand with the people during difficult times.
“Ask yourselves if that is the road you will take again and do not say I did not tell you. Reject leaders who do not care about you,” Uhuru said.
While ending his speech, Uhuru insisted he would continue speaking out on issues affecting Kenyans despite criticism from his political opponents.
He said he would not remain silent as long as wananchi continued to face economic difficulties, maintaining that leaders must be held accountable for their promises and actions.