Deputy President William Ruto faced huge obstacles in his political career in 2019, but as history has proved, he has stood the test of time and has numerously credited God as the source of his strength.
In August 2019, Ruto launched a church at his official residence in Karen taking commitment to God a notch higher. Construction began as early as August 22, 2018, when he laid the foundation stone for the church.
"Mimi ninainvest kwa mambo ya mbinguni. Wewe ukitaka kuinvest mahali pengine… si kila mtu ako na uhuru wa kuinvest pahali anataka? (I am investing in heaven. If you wish to invest elsewhere so be it. Everyone has a choice on their investment priority)," the DP quipped at a function in St Benedict Catholic Church, Ngoingwa, Thika in July 2019.
Several incidences in 2019 either directly or indirectly affected him, however, he stood the test of time.
The Assassination Plot
This was perhaps one of the biggest incidents that embroiled DP Ruto and exposed the cracks within Jubilee Party.
In June 2019, the forged letter sparked a national debate over Ruto’s security as three Cabinet Secretaries, Peter Munya (Trade), Joe Mucheru (ICT) and Sicily Kariuki (Health) were summoned to the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road.
Questions were raised over the infamous La Mada Hotel’s meeting as MPs from Kieleweke and Tanga Tanga factions lashed at each other.
Interior PS Karanja Kibicho became the enemy to DP Ruto’s allies, who accused him of organizing the La Mada meetings.
However as the matter became bone of contention and still pending at the corridor of justice, with drama unfolding at different episodes, Ruto himself played coy with the issue and never at one point spoke about it.
During an interview with K24 TV's Ann Kiguta on July 21, 2019, he spoke about his alleged assassination plot for the first time in public. Ruto disclosed that he had raised the matter with President Uhuru Kenyatta but declined to reveal the contents of their discussion.
"As you sit before the entire nation this evening, there is one question on every Kenyan's mind. Do you believe that there are forces within the government, in which you lead and serve, that are planning to assassinate you?" Ms Kiguta posed.
"The matter that you have asked is a matter I have discussed with my boss and it is not for discussion outside me and my boss," he answered.
The journalist tried to push him to open up but her efforts hit a stone wall as the DP avoided delving into the issue.
"How can you say that? You are the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya. You're not in a personal capacity facing this challenge. Millions voted for you, certainly, those who support you and the rest of the country have a right to know if the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya's life is in danger," she insisted.
"I have told you, that is not a matter that we are going to prosecute in a TV interview," Ruto maintained.
"We are not prosecuting it. This is a matter that is already in the public domain. Are you aware of forces that are trying to eliminate you?" Ms Kiguta.
"I'm sorry Anne, you will not get very far with that question," the DP adamantly responded.
"Do you think it's fair to keep Kenyans apprehensive about the safety of a man who millions have voted for more than once?" the host wondered.
"I have told you on that matter, it doesn't matter how you ask, I've answered that question and that's how it's going to be," responded Ruto.
"When did you have this discussion with the president, without getting into it? Is it something you perhaps have talked a few months ago? Is it as recent as when it hit headlines?" Anne posed.
"Discussions between me and the president are private and I've told you, Anne, that I've answered that question," he explained.
Kimwarer Dam Scandal
In September 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the cancellation of the Kimwarer Dam project contract which was found to have been inflated and economically unviable.
The contentious contract that was found to have involved an Italian firm on the verge of bankruptcy, led to the arrest of then-Treasury CS, Henry Rotich, a close ally of Ruto on July 22, 2019.
Surprisingly, during the probe of the scandal, Ruto differed with media reports and openly refuted claims that Kenya had lost Ksh21 billion in the project.
"You must have heard reports that Ksh21 billion has been lost in Kimwarer and Arror dams which are a flat lie. The money in question is about Ksh7 billion and for every coin that has been paid, we have a bank guarantee. No money will be lost. We are a responsible government," the DP asserted.
His intervention on the issue provided fodder for his rivals to allege that he had an interest in the dubious project.
The cancellation of the Kimwarer plan irked Elgeyo Marakwet Senator, Kipchumba Murkomen who claimed that there was an imbalance in the selection of the committee that eventually gave recommendations on the report.
In October 2019, Ruto publicly differed with President Uhuru Kenyatta when he claimed that the controversial Kimwarer Dam project in Elgeyo-Marakwet County would go on despite the head of state cancelling it.
Building Bridges Initiative
The BBI report was a pain the flesh for Ruto as he numerously attacked it, before its release and launch and November 2019.
From the onset, the BBI was challenged by the DP's allies as it was alleged that it was meant to stop his ascension to the presidency.
The project's opposition led to divisions in the ruling party and escalated the cold war between Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
“The BBI committee should have just listened to Raila Odinga's opinions and how the initiative should assist him to learn how to accept the outcome of an election.
The committee has wasted time travelling around the country lying to us that they are finding out the opinions of Kenyans," Ruto ranted while speaking at a public rally in Narumoru, Nyeri County on Sunday, September 1, 2019.
However, upon its release, Ruto and his brigade changed tune and supported it, stating that they would pass it in Parliament, as opposed to it being enacted through a referendum.
During the launch of the report at Bomas of Kenya on November 27, Senator Murkomen was booed by leaders who had gathered after he raised concern that the list of speakers at the event locked out individuals with a dissenting opinion.
Ruto cut a forlorn figure as his allies were under siege and read malice in the Bomas programme, while President Kenyatta took fun in the embarrassment suffered by the Senate majority leader.
Harambee Donations
One thing that Ruto loved in 2019, was donating cash at church events. His generosity was attacked by politicians who questioned the source of his wealth.
It irked him when Suba South MP John Mbadi threatened to curb church donations through a bill in Parliament.
Ruto criticised ODM Chairman John Mbadi accusing him of plotting to sabotage the development of churches.
“Some people are so drunk with power that they forget that there is God who created them. They have no respect for God and the church because of the big offices they are holding," Ruto lashed out during a function at Paul Catholic Cathedral in Embu County, in September 2019.
He numerously quoted Matthew 6: 33. "Seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well’. Maybe that was Ruto’s 2019 theme.
