Deputy President William Ruto took a step back from politics after the government banned meetings, crusades, political gatherings and church events, following the outbreak of Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Kenya.
The DP occasionally tweets, urging Kenyans to adhere to government directives stipulated to curb the spread of the disease, with Kenya confirming 110 cases already.
On Thursday, March 3, a photo surfaced of a farmer tilling a cabbage garden, and most Kenyans bought into the narrative that it was the DP judging from a close similarity of the farmer and the DP. The photo shared on social media on Thursday, April 2, sparked a debate regarding Ruto's whereabouts and the agriculture business.
The DP's lookalike was spotted weeding the crops while wearing a navy blue t-shirt and white pair of khaki trousers rolled to his calf.
"Is that the work of the DP really, when Kenyans are fighting a pandemic?" one Gerald Wambua wondered, questioning why Ruto was not within the precincts of power, as President Uhuru Kenyatta and Health CS Mutahi Kagwe lead the fight against Coronavirus pandemic.
"Not fit to be president. In a time of crisis, he ran to isolate himself. We now know who you are," Ottieno Vincent added.
"Public relations bravado. A farmer with white trouser! Even public relations needs a bit of intelligence. How would a sane man go to do farm chores in a white trouser?" Katavo Mdendu wondered.
However, others were keen to defend and the man they thought was Ruto, stating that the DP would have spearheaded the government to curb Covid-19 if allowed to, raising questions on the DP'swhereabouts.
"The man who would have stopped the widespread of Covid-19 by now, if given the mantle," Polycarp Ogoi stated.
"The next president of Kenya. 2022. Just exercise. Reminding himself of the old days," Nuru Hassan added.
Ruto's last public appearance was with President Uhuru Kenyatta and African Union envoy, Raila Odinga, during the National Prayer Day at State House, Nairobi, on Saturday, March 21.
On Monday, March 30, he announced the government's grand plan to convert 940 public schools to emergency health centres to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.
"The Government of Kenya has directed the Ministry of Education to work with all county governments to identify at least 20 boarding schools per county to be prepared/equipped for use as health facilities as part of Covid-19 preparedness. The health ministry will work with governors to ensure it is done as soon as possible," a section of DP Ruto's statement read.
The DP's business was also affected by the outbreak of the pandemic, with his lavish hotel Weston, located along Langata Road, Nairobi, shut down on Friday, March 27. This was after CS Kagwe, on Sunday, March 22 ordered the closure of all bars and clubs in the country and directed restaurants and eateries to only serve takeaway orders.
