President William Ruto on Friday came out strongly to condemn leaders who propagate divisive politics in the country.
Ruto was seemingly pointing an accusing finger towards impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua while making the comments at a roadside rally in Lodwar, Turkana County.
“We don't have any business with leaders dividing Kenyans based on ethnic lines. I formed a government to unite all Kenyans. Was that a mistake? There are people who are angry because I appointed Beatrice Askul as a CS." he said while referring to East African Community (EAC) and ASAL Areas Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Askul.
President Ruto said that the move to appoint leaders drawn from the Opposition to form a broad-based government was met with heavy resistance from some quarters intimating the rebuttal was from Gachagua's camp.
From the outside, it seems that President Ruto and Gachagua have been engaged in an extensive supremacy battle that has led to a complete breakdown in their relationship.
This feud has culminated in Rigathi being impeached by the National Assembly, a move that was upheld by the Senate.
Gachagua has come out strongly to condemn his ouster stating that the charges levelled against him came from a point of a political witch hunt rather than holding his leadership abilities to account.
The embattled Gachagua has lamented the treatment accorded to him by the State and has openly accused President Ruto of ruthlessly plotting his downfall.
"I don't understand this kind of viciousness towards a man who has been your deputy, who has helped you become president, irrespective of whatever he has done. At his lowest moment in life, when he is literally struggling to stay alive," he stated while making his first public appearance after being hospitalized at Karen Hospital.
Events after Gachagua's ouster have demonstrated that there is no end to this war as both the State and Gachagua remain unbowed.
Currently, the two parties have been embroiled in a protracted legal battle as Gachagua battles against his removal from office and the appointment of his replacement Interior CS Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
For long, the President had remained tightlipped regarding the events surrounding the impeachment of Gachagua and the ensuing debate that gripped the whole country. However, it now seems like the gloves are off.
