Moi hurt me but I’m no longer bitter, says Saitoti

Internal Security Minister George Saitoti has forgiven retired president Daniel arap Moi for blocking his presidential ambitions in the lead up to the 2002 General Election.

Prof Saitoti, who is eyeing the presidency, said he had put behind the “humiliation” he was exposed to, adding he had worked hard to deliver services to Kenyans in other capacities.

“Which man or woman can stand and say that he has never wronged anyone? We have all done wrong and that’s why we have to repent always,” he said.

Kanu polls

The minister, who spoke in Elgeyo-Marakwet at the weekend, was referring to the Kanu National Delegates Conference during which he and then party secretary-general Joseph Kamotho were shunted aside in favour of a team of Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy PM Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto who bagged top positions in Kanu.

Mr Moi, then running the show on who would succeed him, settled on Mr Kenyatta. This triggered an exodus from Kanu.

Mr Odinga, Mr Musyoka and Prof Saitoti later decamped from Kanu to form LDP, eventually supporting President Kibaki to defeat Mr Kenyatta in the elections.

Prof Saitoti urged residents to vet those aspiring to take up leadership positions in the devolved government.

He asked Kenyans to elect leaders who have the capacity to economically transform the country.