He maintained that such input should be viewed as part of a broader democratic process rather than undue influence.
According to Manje, Kenyatta’s approach reflects a deliberate decision to remain measured and strategic in his political engagements following his retirement from office.
Rather than openly endorsing individuals, he is expected to quietly share his views and insights, particularly with those seeking his counsel.
Manje emphasised that Kenyatta’s opinions carry weight because of his experience working closely with various leaders during his time in government.
He noted that the former president is uniquely positioned to assess the capabilities of individuals who served under him, having directly overseen their performance in different roles.
He suggested that this perspective gives Kenyatta an informed basis for any advice he may offer regarding leadership choices in the country. In his view, such guidance is grounded in firsthand experience rather than speculation.
“I don’t see anything wrong for a former president to guide Kenyans on the correct person because you see, if he tells them Matiang’i is the correct person for this particular point in time, He’s talking from a point of information because he had these ministers, he was with them and any time he gave Matiangi a certain role to play, he did it with perfection,” Manje said.
In the remarks, Manje referenced Fred Matiang’i as an example of a leader whose performance could be evaluated based on past responsibilities in government.
He implied that Kenyatta’s potential endorsement, even if not made publicly, would likely be informed by such assessments.
Manje also pointed out that former heads of state often continue to influence national discourse long after leaving office.
He argued that offering guidance does not equate to imposing decisions on voters, but rather contributes to public debate by providing experienced perspectives.