Uhuru, Ruto Have No Formal Agreement on 2022 - Duale

Majority Leader Aden Duale has revealed an unknown aspect of the deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto.

In a recent interview, the Garissa Township MP let it slip that Uhuru and Ruto do not have a written agreement on the 2022 elections.

The President and Dr Ruto were paired candidates in 2013 and 2017 general elections. To the best of my knowledge, there is no written MOU between them as regards 2022 general elections,” Duale stated.

He also said that there are no political debts owed to Ruto, adding that the DP will go through the party’s nomination process like other candidates.

Therefore, Dr Ruto must prepare to face off with anyone else who will vie for the party's nomination for the presidential race,” he added.

This puts to rest a matter that has rocked the ruling Jubilee party over the last few months as factions allied to Ruto have been asking President Uhuru to declare his stand on the matter.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, who has been a leading voice against the sidelining of Ruto in the government, had earlier asked for Uhuru’s assurance that the deal was still in place.

"We are still believing in the 10-year plan. We do not question what you tell us. We will support the Big Four agenda and once your term ends your deputy will take over. We still trust the 2012 pact is still intact," he posed.

His sentiments were echoed by Nandi Governor Stephen Sang who said they have no reason to doubt Uhuru as he is a man of his words.

While on the campaign trail in 2013 and 2017, President Uhuru vowed to support Ruto in 2022 after he was done with his two 5-year terms saying, ''I will do my ten years and then Ruto will do his ten years.''

However, Uhuru shied away from the discourse after being sworn in for a second term and this has led to speculation that he had backed out of the agreement.