Ruto Responds to Uhuru as Rift Widens

Deputy President William Ruto speaking at a rally in December 2020
Deputy President William Ruto speaking at a rally in December 2020
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President Uhuru Kenyatta’s fight with Deputy President William Ruto has been playing out through proxies and veiled attacks but lately, the gloves have come off with the two directly engaging each other. 

In the latest response to President Kenyatta over the weekend, Ruto stated that he did not require anyone’s permission or support to visit the vote-rich Mt Kenya region

“I will be on the ground now and many more times since I am the deputy president, “ he said in Murang’a. 

Deputy President William Ruto addressing a rally in Murang'a County on February 28, 2021
Deputy President William Ruto addressing a rally in Murang'a County on February 28, 2021
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During his meetings with leaders in Sagana in January, Uhuru warned that those seeking the support of Mt Kenya voters should not come through the backdoor but instead follow the right channels.

He assured leaders that though he would not be seeking power in 2022, he would be involved in deciding who his followers would back in the General Election. 

“I will still sit at the negotiation table to ensure that our region is not taken lightly,” he said during the meeting with the leaders at Sagana State Lodge.

Ejected Jubilee Deputy Secretary-General Caleb Kositany a close confidant of the DP said that Ruto has since realised that the attacks from his rivals had the nod of the head of state. 

He added that the DP’s direct responses to the president would become more visible as the 2022 General Election nears.

“For a long time, the DP has been a target of emissaries who have been attacking him left, right and centre. He remained measured because we wanted to know the owner of the attacking dogs. 

Now that the president has come out clearly to say that it is him who has been sending people to insult the DP, it is, therefore, the DP’s democratic right to answer and put these things straight,” Kositany offered. 

The boldest salvo from the head of state came when he dared Ruto to quit, accusing his deputy of doublespeak. 

"If you are praising the government, stay in, if you are dissatisfied, get out," Uhuru said.

In his direct response, Ruto said, "I am a respectful person and there is no contest between me and President Uhuru Kenyatta. When we went to look for votes, we had a common agenda, vision, manifesto and plan for Kenya and that is what we want to achieve,” he said.

“I will continue respecting the decisions of the President because he is the one in charge. I will not undermine his decisions.”

President Uhuru Kenyatta speaking during a meeting at Sagana State Lodge on January 29, 2021.
President Uhuru Kenyatta speaking during a meeting at Sagana State Lodge on January 29, 2021.
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