DP Ruto Speaks on Uhuru's Role in Jubilee Party Drama

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.
PSCU

Deputy President (DP) William Ruto, on Sunday, April 12, released a statement regarding the alleged role played by President Uhuru Kenyatta in the latest developments within the Jubilee Party that have sparked internal protests.

In the message posted on his Twitter account, the DP made it clear that president Uhuru had no hand in the move that he termed as a 'coup'.

"The President and party leader of the Jubilee Party did not and cannot be party to any fraudulent and illegal changes to officials of our party. This is the works of political rejects, conmen, fraudsters whose party allegiance is already elsewhere. They should give us a break and leave the Jubilee Party alone," his statement reads.

Deputy President William Ruto addressing a gathering, February 17, 2020.
Deputy President William Ruto addressing a gathering, February 17, 2020.
DPPS

In a Gazette Notice dated April 6, the Registrar of Political Parties announced that the ruling party intended to change members of the National Management Committee (NMC), who would be replaced by; Lucy Nyawira Macharia, Prof. Marete Marangu, Walter Nyambati, Jane Nampaso, and James Waweru.

These changes effected by party secretary-general Raphael Tuju, sparked a series of protests by DP Ruto, culminating in a letter he wrote out to the Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu on Friday, April 10.

“I have noted a gazette notice…purporting to change the membership of Jubilee party’s NMC. Please note that NMC has never been reconstituted by the party and neither have we convened the National Executive Committee to reconstitute NMC. The intended changes of the NMC membership are, therefore, illegal and fraudulent,” it reads in part.

However, the party's former vice-chair and Ruto critic, David Murathe maintained that Tuju was merely acting on orders by President Uhuru as he had no powers to institute such changes independently.

“Tuju cannot make changes in the party without making reference to the party leader. These fellows are wasting time. Instead of collecting signatures from the more than five million Jubilee members to support their case, they have resorted to making noise on social media. They are in for a shock,” Murathe stated.

On his part, Tuju announced that his move was merited as some of the previous officials had landed government jobs.

“The changes were effected after a number of officials landed jobs in government. The letter to make the changes was written on 23rd March and noise around the reply by the registrar is unwarranted,” he maintained.

Ruto claimed that there were individuals who were working behind the shadows to try and bring chaos within the ruling party, as the nation focused on combating the Covid-19 pandemic.

"As Kenyans are focused on the Covid-19 pandemic, some shadowy characters are attempting to fraudulently institute illegal changes in officials of the Jubilee Party. As deputy leader, I have alerted the registrar of the fraud. Party members should know that the matter is being handled," he stated.

President Uhuru Kenyatta Speaking during his radio interview at State House Nairobi on April 7, 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta Speaking during his radio interview at State House Nairobi on April 7, 2020.
PSCU
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