Uhuru Rolls Out Plan to Destabilise Ruto's Camp

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Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) and his successor, William Ruto (left).
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President Uhuru Kenyatta has rolled out a plan to infiltrate Deputy President William Ruto's camp as the push for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and 2022 succession politics intensifies. 

Senate Majority Whip Irung'u Kang'ata confirmed that the Head of State had taken over the BBI campaign and that was keen on winning over the divided Mt. Kenya region. 

The region has been wavering in its support between Kenyatta and Ruto. The president's latest initiative is seen as a move to stamp his authority and destabilise his deputy's influence in the region. 

Kang'ata said that Kenyatta tasked him with luring Ruto's Mt. Kenya team with the aim of convincing them to join the BBI bandwagon.

Deputy President Ruto addressing a crowd in Nyeri County on October 30, 2020.
Deputy President Ruto addressing a crowd in Nyeri County on October 30, 2020.
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The Murang'a Senator reached out to vocal Ruto allies including MPs Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) and Moses Kuria (Gatundu South). 

"It is true we are having discussions but we are very clear that we will not turn back on our decision to support Ruto in 2022. The other camp is attempting to push ODM leader Raila Odinga in 2022 and we won't accept it," Ndindi Nyoro stated. 

To win over the support of Ruto's diehards, Kenyatta opted to lead negotiations for the BBI report and is keen on achieving a common ground, a position held by the DP.

Kang'ata said that both sides are keen on consensus pointing out that this approach saw the BBI draft ammended minutes before the signature collection process began. 

"The President is now taking charge of the BBI and the referendum. He is the one to ascent to the referendum bills and is coordinating Senate and National Assembly to draft a referendum budget. 

"He is also accomodating key issues raised by Ruto who enjoys a sizeable following in the region," Kang'ata revealed, acknowledging that the DP's inroads in Mt Kenya were a headache for Kenyatta. 

Odinga has also toured the region several times in November to try and dilute Ruto's influence as the country gears up for a referendum. The ODM leader, while speaking in Kwale County, said that BBI referendum may be hard to push owing to Ruto's countrywide influence. 

He stated that the Msambweni by-election was a litmus test for the BBI as the DP was supporting an independent candidate, Feisal Abdalla, while the former Prime Minister and Kenyatta were in favour of ODM's Omar Boga. 

“If we fail here as ODM, it means BBI will have a problem,” Raila warned.

Ruto declined to confirm whether or not he will support the BBI and has left his opponents guessing. Odinga has constantly been urging the DP to declare his stand.

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ODM leader Raila Odinga (in cowboy hat) campaigns for his Msambweni by-election candidate Omar Boga in Kwale on Friday, December 11, 2020
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