Kenya's former president Daniel Moi said Tuesday he would back his successor President Mwai Kibaki in the general elections due later this year.
Addressing a news conference in Nairobi, Moi, who retired from the presidency in 2002 after 24 years at the helm, said the future and stability of the east African nation lies in Kibaki's re- election in the polls expected to be held in December this year.
"I am convinced that President Mwai Kibaki ought to be given a chance to complete the constitutionally-accepted two-term tenure," Moi said.
"My reason for this decision is that President Kibaki, by virtue of his office as Head of State and Government of Kenya is a symbol of nationhood."
The ex-Kenyan leader, who has still influence in his Kalanjin tribe which has 3 million registered voters, dismissed leading presidential candidates on opposition parties as visionless, tribal, selfish and liars who were only interested in leadership and warned that if allowed, they could plunge the country into chaos.
The ex-president said tribalism was deeply entrenched in the society and condemned the current crop of politicians saying they were only pursuing their individual interests.
"All one hears is high-sounding rhetoric, giving false hopes to the people, as if a politician can develop the country in exclusion of individual participation and hard work of every Kenyan. While imagination and creativity are in order, pragmatism is a must," Moi said.
He said such political leadership should be rejected at all cost adding that the conflicts facing most African countries were a result of ethnicity.
In the run up to the 2002 general election, Moi backed the former ruling party KANU's Uhuru Kenyatta, who is now the leader of opposition party in parliament, for the top seat but Kibaki, overwhelmingly won the 2002 elections.
Moi, who is also the east African nation's special envoy for peace in Sudan, said that just like any other Kenyan, he had a right to choose whom to support.
"Having served as the president, I am above tribalism and I will not support tribal chiefs," he added.
Despite their political fallout over the elections, viewed by many Kenyans as a renunciation of the Moi era, the two leaders have met several times in the past year, particularly after Kibaki has faced serious political opposition.
Commentaries in the local dailies have recently been awash with speculation that Moi and Kibaki are organizing a political alliance for elections due in December.
Political analysts have said Moi wants to protect vast family business interests he gleaned during his presidency and that Kibaki wants Moi's help in fragmenting an already-divided opposition.
The east African nation's politicians are spoilt for choice as the country grapples with more than 100 parties, and the number is still rising.
Source: Xinhua
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