Deputy President William Ruto in an interview with Citizen TV's Wahiga Mwaura on Thursday, February 6, addressed the rift that existed between him and former President Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi.
The DP revealed that it was after his declaration to run for the country's top seat during a convention at Eldama Ravine in 2005 that the relationship between him and the former head of state took a different turn.
"We had a meeting in Eldama Ravine, where I declared my candidature for the presidency, that was the straw that broke the camel's back," DP Ruto narrated.
"From Eldama Ravine I thought it was a simple thing. We were around 15 MPs, and it was customary that whenever we were around Nakuru, we would visit Mzee, have a cup of tea, have a little chat before we headed back," he recalled.
However, upon arrival at Moi's residence, Ruto and his fellow legislators found the gate locked and were denied entry on grounds that Moi did not want to meet anybody at the time.
"This time around we found the gate closed, we were told Mzee doesn't want to see us," Ruto recounted.
The DP stated that the former president then made remarks that he believes demeaned him. According to Ruto, Moi rubbished his declaration for the country's top seat, and above all his ability to lead the community.
The deputy president revealed that Moi had identified different individuals he believed were senior, not only amongst the Rift Valley community but also in the country's political scene.
"He issued a very scathing statement against my announcement, castigating my candidature and saying that I was misleading the community," Ruto recalled.
The DP stated that it was after the pronouncements, by the man he considers his mentor, that it became obvious to him that there was a different succession plan from what he had in mind.
"Moi went out and said that Ruto cannot be the person to lead, you should choose from seasoned people, like Nicholas Biwott, Henry Kosgei," DP Ruto narrated.
"I remember arguing at the time, that I did not want to be a community leader, I wanted to be president," he added.
DP Ruto alleged that Moi had asked people close to him and those from the DP's backyard to try and talk him out of the succession politics, even further, convince the people against supporting the ambitious former URP leader.
Ruto conceded to making enquiries on why Moi was against his candidature, "Does he want to run?" he posed. The DP stated that he had all the respect in the world for Moi's preferences. "They can be community leaders if they want to," Ruto argued then, noting that if anyone wanted to compete against him, he was up for it.
On May 3, 2018, DP Ruto made a visit to the former head of state's Kabarak residence but failed to meet him again.
Political pronouncements and media reports alleged that Moi had refused to meet the DP due to the existing rift between them, however, Lee Njiru, Moi's press secretary stated that the meeting was not possible as the late Mzee was undergoing a routine medical check-up.
