Former Makadara Member of Parliament Benson Mutura has defended President Uhuru Kenyatta's non commitment on making known his preferred successor as he nears retirement.
Despite his 2013 and 2017 vows to declare his deputy William Ruto as the man he will support to take after him in 2022, Uhuru has been completely quiet on the issue lately.
Speaking during the burial of Rahab Wangui, mother to former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth in Gatanga on Thursday, Uhuru said that he doesn't care who succeeds him.
And with this coming as a contradiction to his initial vow, Mutura now says that he might be afraid of making an endorsement, fearing a possible rejection from Kenyans.
"Labda yale masaibu ako nayo ile ya historia. Labda anaangalia unezakuwa Rais uendorse mtu ilete shida (Maybe his fears are historical. He is probably considering you might be president and endorse someone and it ends up resulting in problems)," he said.
The ex-lawmaker made the remarks on Radio Jambo's Mazungumzo Waziwazi show on Saturday, also attended by nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura.
He said that Uhuru is fearing the Moi humiliation of 2002, where retired President Daniel Moi endorsed him (Uhuru), but he ended up losing to Mwai Kibaki.
Mutura stated that there is need for the Jubilee leadership to shun the 2022 issue and pay attention to reviving the party, which he said is currently limping.
"Jubilee tuko na shida, tunayumbayumba. Lakini tuko focused, tutaiombea irudi pamoja (Jubilee is troubled, we are not steady. But we are focused, we will pray for it's reunion)," he said.
This comes at a time when some members allied to Ruto have been calling for a members' meeting to iron out emerging party issues.