David Ndii's Meeting With Ruto Causes Jitters in Uhuru's Camp

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Economist David Ndii (left) and President William Ruto (right)
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A meeting between Deputy President William Ruto, economist David Ndii and a section of Mt Kenya politicians has sparked protest from President Uhuru Kenyatta's camp. 

Ruto, Ndii and the politicians allied to Ruto went for a three-day retreat at the Maasai Mara game reserve to discuss economic issues affecting Kenya and the 2022 succession politics. 

David Ndii is expected to present a detailed analysis of how the country's economic recovery plan can be effected. Ndii has been a huge critic of President Uhuru Kenyatta's handling of the Covid-19 crisis. 

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Former CBK Governor Prof. Njuguna Ndung'u poses for a photo with Deputy President William Ruto on April 22, 2021 at the DP's Karen, Nairobi home
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The economist has constantly accused the President of focusing on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) rather than reconstructing the economy

"My understanding is that Ruto wants to challenge the politics of ethnic mobilisation such as the ethnic kingpin model proposed in BBI with politics of the economy hence his reaching out to economic and other policy experts," Ndii stated on April 27.

Prior to the retreat, Ruto met former CBK Governor Prof. Njuguna Ndung'u, who pledged to help him develop the new economic model through the African Economic Research Consortium, Karen, Nairobi County.

Ruto's Mt Kenya allies are further expected to heap pressure on the DP to unveil his 2022 lineup. They are pushing him to nominate one of their own as his running mate lest they abandon his quest for the Presidency. 

"We want to do a two-part negotiation, economic revival and then political interest. Who fits in to push implementation of that economic revival agenda," Kimani Ichungwa, Kikuyu MP disclosed. 

Kieni MP and Uhuru's confidant, Kanini Kega argued that the head of state was Mt Kenya's kingpin and the only leader fit to revive the economy as he is the President. 

"There can never be another person able to negotiate for Mt Kenya unless it is the President or his appointee. All the others are misguided or are chasing after selfish interests. 

"They have already declared support for Ruto and now they are pinning him with demands. Very interesting," Kega criticised. 

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, a Ruto ally, however, urged Kanini and Uhuru's camp to negotiate with ODM leader Raila Odinga and other politicians they feel are worth their time and desist from interfering with Tanga Tanga politics. 

Ruto's retreat comes a day after ODM leader Raila Odinga met with Mt.Kenya elders at his Karen home in Nairobi County, on Friday, April 30

In a statement, Odinga said that he and members of the Kikuyu Council of Elders led by their Chair Wachira Kiago, discussed how they would work together in future.

President Uhuru Kenyatta (in blue shirt) and Interior CS Fred Matiang'i (right) arrive at the National Security Industries in Ruiru on Thursday, April 8, 2021
President Uhuru Kenyatta (in blue shirt) and Interior CS Fred Matiang'i (right) arrive at the National Security Industries in Ruiru on Thursday, April 8, 2021
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