Deputy President William Ruto hit out at critics who he accused of joyriding on Jubilee's success to take over the government in 2022, arguing that he was the only one capable of succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta and does not need his endorsement.
Addressing a gathering at a boda boda event in Kiambu County on Friday, January 12, Ruto claimed that he understood Jubilee's manifesto and development agenda better than Kenyatta's allies.
"Those people are saying that they know Uhuru better yet I helped him become President. I also assisted Raila (ODM leader Raila Odinga) to be Prime Minister.
"We can now see them ridding on 2022 endorsements, where were they when Uhuru and I started our journey. Let me see by a show of hands who you think is able to take over the government. Is it hustler (Ruto) or mzee wa vitendawili (Raila)? I can see that all of you believe it is the hustler," Ruto said.
He added that he stood with the head of state when both of them were facing prosecution at the International Criminal Court at the Hague in 2013 and also supported his re-election in 2017. The DP said that it was evident that he was Kenyatta's true friend as opposed to those he currently parades.
Ruto further raised concerns with the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), alleging that it was derailing the Jubilee agenda. He said that he would ensure the government shifts focus back to developing the country after the referendum takes place.
On the hustler versus dynasty politics, the Jubilee Deputy Party leader castigated the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) for saying that the narrative would birth a class war in Kenya. A section of MPs also wanted Ruto to be barred from using the philosophy. The DP argued that it was all about uplifting the common mwananchi.
His sentiments came barely two hours after President Uhuru Kenyatta dared him to resign from the government. Kenyatta implied that Ruto and his allies were hypocrites as they wanted to enjoy the success achieved by the regime which he constantly attacked.
"We need to either work together or not. If they (Ruto and allies) feel that the government is favourable to them, then they should work with us but if they disassociate themselves, then let them resign.
“You keep being lied to by politicians who come here saying that they love you and ask you to abuse other people. Is that the way in which we are going to grow this country? Kindly let us think about what we are told to do," the president stated.
On Wednesday, February 11, he said that he would not leave the country in the hands of thieves when he leaves office in 2022. The President did not mention any names as he claimed that some of the leaders want to exploit the people.
Watch Ruto speak on Uhuru succession
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