KIDERO: I invited Uhuru to next year’s trade fair in his capacity as a dairy farmer
Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero has strongly refuted reports suggesting he has “endorsed” President Uhuru Kenyatta to serve another term in office.
These reports gained currency earlier this week when the Governor expressed optimism that President Kenyatta would grace next year’s Nairobi International Trade Fair at Jamuhuri Park.
“Let me just thank you for always honouring us. In 2013 you yo were here, 2014 you were here, 2015 you were here… this year we are together, and we are definite that you will be with us in 2017,” Kidero was quoted saying during the opening of the Trade Fair on Wednesday.
The statement was interpreted by many, especially on social media, as a thinly veiled endorsement to President Kenyatta in his bid for a second term in next year’s General Elections in August 2017 in time to grace the next edition of the Trade Fair as Head of State.
‘DAIRY FARMER’
However, Dr Kidero has come out to dispel the notion saying that is not what he meant.
In his clarification via Twitter, Dr Kidero – who is expected to contest Nairobi’s gubernatorial election next year – said he only invited the president to next year’s event in his capacity as a “fairly successful dairy farmer.”
Just to be clear, I was inviting H.E Uhuru Kenyatta to next year’s Nairobi Intl. Trade Fair since he’s a fairly successful dairy farmer. 1/2
— Dr. Evans Kidero (@KideroEvans) October 5, 2016
The governor further sought to explain why he had so many kind words for President Kenyatta.
#NairobiIntTradeFair2016 wasn’t a political rally nor a campaign.I was thanking the President for attending the past successful events. 2/2
— Dr. Evans Kidero (@KideroEvans) October 5, 2016
The 2017 General Elections are expected to be a closely fought contest between opposition leader Raila Odinga’s Cord – of which the ODM which Kidero belongs to is an affiliate party- and President Kenyatta’s newly formed Jubilee Party.
