Deputy President, William Kipchirchir Samoei Ruto, has pleaded with President Uhuru Kenyatta to forgive him if he has fallen short of his expectations during their ten-year tenure at the helm of the country.
Speaking during the National Prayer Breakfast held at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi on Thursday, May 26, the deputy president admitted that he may have fallen out with the Head of State, which has made it difficult for their government to deliver its promise to Kenyans.
"I also know that serving as the Deputy President, I may have fallen short of expectations of my boss His Excellency the President my good friend, I ask for your forgiveness," Ruto pleaded.
Ruto appreciated the honour Uhuru bestowed upon him by choosing him to serve as the deputy president for two consecutive terms.
He noted that serving as the first deputy president under the 2010 Constitution has instilled in him more leadership qualities.
"I have had the privilege of serving as the deputy president to my friend President Uhuru Kenyatta for the last 10 years. It’s an honour that I cherish. I am the only Kenyan who has served as an elected DP under the new Constitution and I thank God for it. As you head to retirement, may God give you every aspiration of your heart," Ruto remarked.
Uhuru, on the other hand, affirmed the power of togetherness regardless of their political affiliation. He responded to Ruto noting that he also wish to have a peaceful retirement after handing over power to the next government after the August 9 General Election.
"I do hope the prayers of DP Ruto on my retirement come true, I am looking forward to peace and enjoyment in the years to come," Uhuru stated in his response to Ruto.
The Head of State further called on all leaders seeking elective positions to accept poll results and preach peace and coexistence among Kenyans.
"I wish those contesting the best of luck in August, there shall only be one winner. I wish you peace, I pray we will end up more united after the election."
Despite the two leaders sharing sentiments insinuating the willingness to end the bad blood between them, the differences between the two played out as they did not share a table as is always the tradition.
During the 19th National Prayers Breakfast, Uhuru and Ruto sat on different tables, with the Head of State sharing his table with Chief Justice Martha Koome and Attorney General Paul Kihara Kariuki while Ruto shared his with National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and his Senate counterpart Ken Lusaka, both his allies in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
