Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has publicly appealed to members of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to cease what he described as sustained attacks against former President Uhuru Kenyatta, urging the party to allow the retired head of state peace of mind.
His remarks, delivered in a tone of concern rather than confrontation, add a new dimension to the evolving relationship between ODM and Kenyatta in the post-Handshake political era.
Salasya questioned the rationale behind the hostility, asking pointedly what wrongdoing Uhuru Kenyatta may have committed to warrant the criticism.
In his view, the former president deserves respect for his role in stabilizing the country during a politically volatile period and for choosing to step back from active politics after leaving office.
Salasya’s intervention reflects growing discomfort among some leaders with the increasingly harsh rhetoric directed at Kenyatta by a section of ODM figures.
The MP’s comments come at a time when ODM is reassessing its political posture following the 2022 elections and the formation of the Kenya Kwanza government.
As internal debates intensify, some party members have openly blamed Kenyatta for political outcomes they view as unfavorable, accusing him of political betrayal or strategic miscalculations.
Salasya cautioned that such narratives risk oversimplifying complex political dynamics and unfairly scapegoating an individual who no longer holds state power.
By calling on ODM to “stop” and allow Uhuru peace, Salasya implicitly appealed to political maturity and restraint.
He argued that relentless attacks on a former president do little to advance policy debates or strengthen the party’s position as a credible opposition force.
Instead, he suggested, ODM should redirect its energy toward articulating alternative policies, strengthening grassroots structures, and holding the current administration accountable through constructive engagement.
MP Peter Salasya’s statement also touches on a broader principle in democratic governance: the treatment of former leaders.
Respecting retired presidents, he implied, is not about political loyalty but about preserving institutional dignity and national cohesion.
Continual political hostility, especially when driven by frustration rather than facts, risks deepening divisions and normalizing intolerance within political discourse.
