I will only retire from politics on my own terms, opposition leader Raila Odinga has told Jubilee.
Speaking on Sunday during a rally at Kawangware after two days of running battles between NASA supporters and the police in the area, Raila said he is still in the political sphere of the country.
He categorically said he is not bowing to pressure from Jubilee top heads-President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto to retire.
“Those in Jubilee always say I should retire and that I am old. Those who say I am old, am I the age of their mother or father? When Uhuru and Ruto say that I am old, tell them I am not the age of their father or mother. They should not be bothered by someone’s age,” retorted the NASA leader as reported by the Star.
“Consider someone’s reasoning and agenda, not the age. I will not retire because Uhuru or Ruto have said. I will retire when I want and after accomplishing my dream. Someone’s agenda is very important and that is why we (NASA) have a proper agenda for Kenya, by getting it out of poverty so that the youth and women get jobs
The 2017 general election has been viewed as Raila’s last stab at the Presidency after he unsuccessfully ran three other times-1997, 2007 and 2013.
But he failed to clinch the seat this time round as well which could send him to political oblivion.
In a MoU entered between him and NASA affiliate parties, ANC, Wiper and Ford Kenya, he was to serve only one term should they have won the August 8 polls.
Talks on his retirement were rife after the August 8 polls but they quickly faded away after he successfully challenged Uhuru’s victory at the Supreme Court.
But with a second round of victory for Uhuru in the repeat Presidential elections, Raila’s retirement talks, are gaining traction once again.
However, he insists he does not acknowledge the repeat elections. He is pushing for fresh elections in 90 days.
But Jubilee has spoken against this saying there will be no other polls.
On Sunday, Jubilee’s honcho Senator Kipchumba Murkomen (Leader of Majority in the Senate) in a tweet said Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi are interested in Raila’s retirement ahead of 2022.
But, he said, the DP is ready to square it out with Raila in 2022 should he decide to remain actively in politics until then.
“The only person who is interested in the retirement of Baba is Kalonzo&MDVD. William Ruto welcomes the candidature of Raila Odinga in 2022,” he said in a tweet.