Three Ways Uhuru Could Punish Ruto Without Impeachment - Murathe

Deputy President William Ruto (left) and President Uhuru Kenyatta enjoy a hearty moment during the BBI launch at the Bomas of Kenya on November 27, 2019.
Deputy President William Ruto (left) and President Uhuru Kenyatta enjoy a hearty moment during the BBI launch at the Bomas of Kenya on November 27, 2019.
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Deputy President William Ruto may not be impeached, but could still be left sidelined by President Uhuru Kenyatta for disrespecting him and openly defying him, Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe says. 

While speaking with K24 on Thursday, May 21, Murathe, Kenyatta's ally, stated that ousting Ruto wasn't an option they had considered, despite the DP's allies insisting that Kieni MP Kanini Kega would table the motion in Parliament. 

In an interview with Inooro FM on Friday, May 22, he shed more light on Kenyatta's new approach, arguing that the Head of State held Ruto in high regard and was not considering the option to impeach Ruto. However, he had hatched several other plots to annihilate the DP.

Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe arrives at Nyayo Stadium ahead of  Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12, 2019
Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe arrives at Nyayo Stadium ahead of Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12, 2019
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One of the strategies in Uhuru's bag of political tricks is to merge with parties and individuals across the entire country. This would deny Ruto a chance to form a coalition with any power brokers in the political scene. 

"Another option Kenyatta is considering is sponsoring another Jubilee contestant. The country should not buy claims that Mt. Kenya won't front another leader.

"We can sponsor one and sell him all the way to the ballot. Uniting Kenya doesn't mean excluding any other tribe. That's how we shall triumph over Ruto,"  Murathe disclosed.

This means that Ruto may be denied the chance to run on a Jubilee ticket, despite Kenyatta promising that he will support the DP in 2022.

"If I were Ruto, I would leave Jubilee and government so as to be independent and promote my 2022 presidential ambitions. 

"Kenyatta is patient, compassionate and upholds friendships. That's why he won't impeach Ruto. He has numerously warned Ruto from attacking him and roaming the country politicking and painting the president as a failure," Murathe proclaimed.

Hinging on his legacy, Kenyatta promised to unite Kenyans and ensure that politics won't divide the nation again. Within the Building Bridges Initiative, Kenyatta is pushing for inclusivity. Murathe disclosed that Kenyatta was adamant that he would achieve this, even if it meant parting with Ruto.

"Kenyatta is ready to part with Ruto ahead of 2022 and allow him to pursue his own agenda. Kenyatta will let him go with two more scenarios. If Ruto decides to quit or if he is entangled in corruption, which will force Kenyatta to go after him," Murathe stated. 

Amani National Congress Secretary-General and political analyst Herman Manyora, however, urged Ruto stay in government and fight from within, rather than quitting.

"'I'll advise him to hang in there. He shouldn't get threatened with impeachment. He shouldn't make it easy for them," Muluka stated while speaking with Kenyans.co.ke.

Apart from the impeachment motion, Ruto has on several occasions accused the Directorate of Criminal Investigation of orchestrating a plot to impune him.

On Thursday, January 24, while speaking with NTV's Ken Mijungu on the Sidebar, DP Ruto stated that there was a plot to revive his case at the International Criminal Court (ICC), Hague, Netherlands. He also argued that the DCI was reopening closed graft cases against him. 

"There are characters who have already sent people to Kenya to resuscitate the ICC cases against me.

"It doesn't take me by surprise. We have been here before. Every time there are succession politics, there have been cabals who want to manipulate politics in the hope they can install people who can serve their interests," he stated.

He further lamented on the same during the burial of his Harambee Annex office Head of Security, Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei, on Saturday, March 7 in Nakuru. DCI boss George Kinoti argued that Kenei was murdered, refuting claims that he committed suicide. Kinoti linked the murder to former Sports CS Rashid Echesa's Ksh 40 million military weapons scandal that roped in the DP. 

"I want to tell the DCI, do your work as police officers. Stop commenting on politics... the DCI is being used to undermine my office. I am aware that there is a huge scheme that has been orchestrated to demean and to destroy my office and to ensure that I do not get anywhere. The blood of this innocent Kenyan will not go scot-free," he stated. 

Deputy President William Ruto views Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei's Casket during his burial ceremony  in Nakuru on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
Deputy President William Ruto views Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei's Casket during his burial ceremony in Nakuru on Saturday, March 7, 2020.
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