President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have in their second term appeared not to read from the same script multiple times.
The gaffes have led people to think that the ruling party, launched with a lot of fanfare barely three years ago on September 7, 2016, may be crumbling.
It all began with a gesture extended by President Kenyatta, to ODM leader Raila Odinga on March 2018. The move caught many by surprise because both the president and his deputy had trashed Odinga for the better part of 2017, during the highly-charged presidential campaign.
The handshake caused jitters within Jubilee, prompting the DP to take shots at Uhuru and Raila’s deal.
In April 2019, during the African Infrastructure Conference in Nairobi, Uhuru told off politicians who claimed that Odinga was out to break the Jubilee Party.
“I hear people complaining that Raila is destroying Jubilee. We don’t even talk about Jubilee, we will talk politics when the time comes,” Uhuru stated.
Four months down the line, on Tuesday, September 17, DP Ruto claimed that his party was in shambles because of the opposition leader.
"Yes there is a rift in Jubilee fuelled by political factions, some for punguza mizigo and others for ongeza mzigo initiatives. All these confusion has brought trouble in Jubilee.
"You all know what is happening on matters of the constitution. The champions of change of the constitution are known. This is not the business of Jubilee but other people who are well known to Kenyans," Ruto lashed out while lamenting over the Building Bridges Initiative.
President Kenyatta has made it clear that he supports BBI, which is geared towards constitutional change, cohesiveness and unity.
Ruto, on the other hand, criticises the initiative with some of his allies claiming that it was formed to help Odinga clinch power.
Ruto also claimed that BBI had the potential to divide the country.
“Some leaders should stop blackmail and threats. We will not give you the opportunity to divide the country.
“When BBI puts across their proposals, we will engage in a sober debate. We will not allow the spirit of tsunami to divide this country again,” Ruto spoke in August 2019.
During an event at Kasarani Stadium in June, President Kenyatta angrily condemned politicians whom he accused of derailing his plan to unite the county, even if it involved forming relationships with perceived opponents.
“They will not stop me from the path I have made for myself and want to get to and where I want to take our people,” he spoke.
“I want peace and I will look for peace for our people wherever I can find it and ensure that 50 years to come no one will be bothered about where he is and can conduct business peacefully,” the president added.
The head of state has in the past strongly asked politicians to stop talking about the coming General Election in 2022 and focus on development, but his deputy is of the opinion that both can be done.
In July 2019, The Star reported that Ruto, while in Baringo County, told the residents “Kiarat karik bwana konyei borto” (I have already mobilised enough resources in readiness for the next election).”
“As Christians of strong faith, we are planning to go to heaven, where we haven’t seen nor have a calendar of the day. What then is impossible in planning for 2022?" he added.
Fighting corruption is a key legacy project for the Kenyatta who has often praised the competency of Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti and Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji.
Ruto, in March at the height of investigation of the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal, told the DCI that he lacked the mandate to tackle the vice adding that graft was better handled by EACC.
In August, President Uhuru praised Kinoti and Haji while warning corrupt individuals.
“I want to tell them that there are people who have committed themselves to fighting corruption as a matter of life and death. Please, do not say it was me. I have not sent anyone to steal. Those guys are not playing,” he stressed.
