President Uhuru Kenyatta ended the purge after cracking the whip on Jubilee legislators aligned with his deputy William Ruto. The head of state also cut off Ruto's power through the Executive Order when he scrapped off the Office of the Deputy President.
With the Parliament and government aligned to Kenyatta's wish, the head of state has reportedly initiated another move poised to clip Ruto's influence in the country. The President reached out to elders and church leaders in a bid to tame Ruto.
Ruto is famous for traversing churches and interacting with women and youth through his hustler system. His allies have also numerously stated that ordinary Kenyans will propel him to the presidency after the state machine isolated him from the government.
Kenyatta met 100 Gikuyu, Embu and Meru Association (GEMA) elders and a number of Kalenjin elders who were reportedly instructed to convince Tanga Tanga politicians to ditch Ruto for Kenyatta's camp.
"The basis of the matter was that Uhuru was unhappy with how Mt Kenya distasted and disrespect him. This was believed to have been as a result of incitement by Ruto," Wachira Kiago, Gikuyu Council of Elders Chairman stated while speaking with the Daily Nation.
Kenyatta also feared that Mt Kenya was falling into a trap by following Ruto, yet they had the numbers required to make their own decision and support their own in 2022.
Senate Majority Chief Whip Irung'u Kang'ata confirmed the move, stating that Kenyatta was out to unite his region before exiting politics.
"He is pushing us to ensure his agenda is realised and to also search for the next Mt Kenya kingpin," Kang'ata stated.
Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe added that Kenyatta was not satisfied with the purge in Parliament and government and would ensure that all rebels face consequences.
"We are casting our net wide and deep. We want to address the issue of community cohesiveness to prepare ourselves for a rightful share of economic and political opportunities," Murathe declared.
In July 2022, Ruto consolidated and unveiled a 16-member team that will spearhead his 2022 campaign with youth and women included in his agenda.
Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi was tasked to handle the Youth for Ruto alongside Anthony Kibagendi, currently the Secretary for Youth Affairs in DP's office. For Women and Gender, DP Ruto will bank on Beverly Moss, Secretary, Conflict Management and Peace Building in the DP's office and Rebecca Tongei.
Before the Coronavirus pandemic broke out in Kenya in March 2020, Ruto toured several counties and interacted with the clergy, women and youth. He continued propelling his youth agenda when Kenyatta reopened the country on Monday, July 6, splashing money on youth projects in Nairobi.
