The Orange Democratic Movement party on Sunday endorsed President Uhuru Kenyatta's remarks at Sagana State Lodge, barely 48 hours later.
While meeting leaders from Mt Kenya region on Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta insisted that his pact with Raila Odinga has nothing to do with 2022 politics.
A cheerful Uhuru also contradicted his deputy William Ruto over Kibra by-election, arguing that the polls were free, fair and credible. He said Kibra people voted in peace.
“I never thought I would see a day we have peaceful campaigns in Kibra where people don’t lose property or lives. I saw a few people get stoned but they can speak for themselves. And even though our candidate lost, Kenyans, especially Mt Kenya people won,” he said.
He added: “There is a woman I know in Kibra who even campaigned for me when I was still in Kanu. They burned her stuff even in 2007, 2013 and twice in 2017. I called her this time and she told me that the campaign should have extended a bit so that she gets some more money.”
ODM chairman John Mbadi concurred with President Uhuru Kenyatta, arguing that Kibra polls were free and credible despite violence narrative being peddled.
"We also thank President Kenyatta for seeing the recent Kibra by-election for what we in ODM thought it was: a strong indication that with unity and interest of the country at heart, a peaceful election is possible, not only in Kibra but in any part of the great Republic of Kenya," he said.
Mr Mbadi insisted that the pact between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga has nothing to do with 2022 polls, contrary to claims from certain politicians.
"President Uhuru Kenyatta and his brother Raila Odinga have said it before and the president said it again in Sagana; the handshake and the BBI are never about 2022 and any individual leader’s presidential ambitions. It is about Kenya and it’s posterity," he said.
"I wish to thank President Uhuru Kenyatta for remaining focused on the Handshake and BBI, which are fundamental instruments in the effort to remake the Kenyan nation."