Kenya African National Union (KANU) party Secretary-General Nick Salat has said that Kenyans are an intelligent lot which cannot be forced to take a specific political direction.
Speaking on Thursday, Salat, apparently addressing the 2022 elections, said that no one, including President Uhuru Kenyatta, will dictate to Kenyans on what to do.
In an apparent jab at Deputy President William Ruto who is seeking the presidency in 2022, he stated that no one will be forced to support a leader or a political ideology.
"No one, including Uhuru Kenyatta, can force Kenyans into supporting a thief or fake political ideologies. Kenyans are free to make informed choices," he wrote on Facebook.
KANU has over the last few weeks hinted that it will fully participate in the 2022 elections, and at some point openly identified Ruto as its target.
Salat last week said that the independence party will be coming out in full force, with one of its intentions being to end Ruto's reign as the Rift Valley political kingpin.
"We are ready to set a full-blown war with William Ruto in the Rift Valley region. We will battle him in all corners, East and West, North and South. On air, on land and in the sea. We have had enough of his leadership and its time today enough is enough," Salat wrote on May 4.
The enmity between Ruto and KANU boss Gideon Moi has severally played out openly, as both seek to enjoy the backing of the entire Rift Valley vote.
In the run-up to the 2013 and 2017 elections, Uhuru vowed to ensure that Ruto succeeds him.