A church harambee planned to be held in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County, has laid bare the increasingly growing distance between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his hitherto trusted Deputy, William Ruto.
The harambee is to be presided over by 2013 presidential candidate Peter Kenneth.
But, in an intriguing development, the harambee has sharply split the Jubilee coalition, with a section of MPs who had been invited saying they had received calls from a powerful but shadowy government official known for opposing the DP asking them to boycott the event.
“On Sunday, Peter Kenneth has invited me for a rally he is doing with Oscar Sudi in Eldoret. There is a camp fighting Ruto. So it is telling us we should not set foot in Eldoret on Sunday,” a text message from a senator from Mt Kenya read.
None other than Mr Ruto himself alluded to the campaign to undermine his 2022 bid during a harambee in Githunguri, Kiambu County, on Friday.
TRUCE
Mr Ruto, who has previously downplayed reports that a section of politicians in the Jubilee coalition are opposed to his presidential bid, revealed that he was being targeted through propaganda by some politicians.
“There is an attempt to try and undermine the track record of Jubilee. Therefore, to those peddling propaganda, let them continue; but we will meet with them on the judgement day (2022 elections) and the electorate will decide who is a performer and who is a propagandist,” Mr Ruto said.
Utterances by the top leadership of the Kikuyu Council of Elders, comprising President Kenyatta’s uncle George Muhoho, has not helped diffuse the notion that the Kenyatta-Ruto marriage is on the rocks.
KCE Secretary-General, the Rev Peter Munga, said in a recent interview that an initiative launched last May in Eldoret for Kalenjin and Kikuyu elders to promote Mr Ruto’s 2022 bid stood suspended, and that the council was now focused on building bridges under the aegis of the March 9 handshake between President Kenyatta and his erstwhile arch-rival Raila Odinga.
“It is no longer tenable to go round the country talking about one presidential candidate while others are still (waiting) in the wings,” Rev Munga said.
STATE APPOINTMENTS
The latest developments are in stark contrast to the camaraderie displayed by the President and his Deputy throughout the first term.
United by their shared indictments at the International Criminal Court, which had propelled their unlikely alliance that secured victory in the March 2013 vote, Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto consistently addressed each other cordially in public and photos of them engaging in hearty handshakes and laughing at each other’s jokes were common.
Mr Ruto seemed to have made a calculation to play second fiddle to Mr Kenyatta from the start and not to challenge him directly, betting that this would put him in a pole position to succeed him in 2022.
In return, Mr Kenyatta acceded to most of Mr Ruto’s demands, including appointing many DP nominees to key positions in the Cabinet and major parastatals.
The matching white shirts and red ties the pair donned when the first Cabinet was announced seemed to signal their intention to build a lasting alliance.
RELATIONS
Those days, however, seem to be decidedly in the past.
The body language between Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto has been frosty over the past few months, with commentators noting the change of language particularly in the way in which Mr Kenyatta addresses his deputy.
In the first term, the President often called him ndugu yangu William (my brother William) and made a big show of insisting they were singing from the same hymn sheet, including in October 2014 when Mr Kenyatta took the unprecedented step of appointing Mr Ruto acting President when he travelled to The Hague for the hearing of his case.
The new posture between the two men is one of thinly disguised hostility.
During the funeral service for pro-democracy icon Kenneth Matiba, President Kenyatta launched what was viewed by many as an attack on his deputy and his allies, who he said were resisting his efforts to work together with opposition leader Raila Odinga.
BLAME GAME
In subsequent statements, Mr Kenyatta referred to Mr Ruto as huyu kijana (this young man) and mentioned his habit of kutanga tanga kila mahali (loitering all over the place), a reference to perceptions that Mr Ruto has launched early campaigns for the 2022 election.
When Mr Kenyatta announced that all public officials would be subjected to a lifestyle audit, he merely pointed at Mr Ruto and described him as huyu (this one).
While all these shifts may be viewed as petty chatter, there is a more serious subtext to the emerging cracks within the ruling party.
Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat, whose party leader Gideon Moi is embroiled in a bitter supremacy tussle with Mr Ruto in the Rift Valley, thinks the DP is responsible for the apparent fissures in Jubilee.
“It is rule of the thumb that you do not attempt to outmanoeuvre your boss. You do not try to make him irrelevant too soon even if in the end you must,” he said.
And added: “The President assured him (Mr Ruto) of his support in 2022 but he immediately embarked on a campaign. It was bound to boomerang on him since the President is keen on leaving a good legacy.”
RAILA ODINGA
Deputy Senate Speaker Kithure Kindiki, one of those positioning themselves to be named the DP’s running mate in the 2022 polls, disagrees.
“The DP has been very conscious about his position in Jubilee and government. Never at any time has he competed or tried to upstage the President,” he states.
He downplays the divisions, saying what is happening is characteristic of succession politics.
But he blames opposition leader Raila Odinga for stoking conflict in the ruling party.
“We have the handshake people salivating for Jubilee’s largesse. They are out to upset the political equilibrium,” the senator said.
The clash could already be proving beneficial to the public.
In the last few weeks, the allies of the president and deputy president have engaged in a tit-for-tat campaign of leaking damaging stories about the rival camps, developments which may improve accountability by revealing stories of alleged graft between the two camps.
LIFESTYLE AUDIT
Mr Kenyatta’s allies appear to be focusing on key parastatals in which Mr Ruto has placed pointmen and where State House figures allege Mr Ruto is drawing financial largesse for his planned presidential campaign.
Mr Ruto’s allies are fighting back. On Wednesday, House Majority Leader Aden Duale tabled a list of companies that were given licences to import sugar.
Several are said to have business relationships with the First Family.
The involvement of families could deepen hostility between the two camps.
After Mr Kenyatta ordered a lifestyle audit of public officials, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, a Ruto ally, demanded that the audits should stretch back to the tenure of first President Jomo Kenyatta.
“… the President recently said that there’s a need for lifestyle audit. Everybody should undergo the same including the president, his father Jomo,” he said.
Meanwhile, a 1975 article in the New York Times claiming that the tenure of Kenyatta senior was marred by widespread corruption was widely circulated on social media.
ETHNICITY
Prof Peter Kagwanja, a governance expert, observes that a relentless war on graft by the President resulting in casualties is bound to see heads roll, with a political price to be paid.
The biggest worry will be the potential for the emerging divisions to test the unity of the Kikuyu and Kalenjin, the two main communities that came together to form the Jubilee Party.
Youths from the two groups were at the heart of the shocking violence which followed the 2007 election, and the unity between their leaders has created an uneasy peace in the Rift Valley.
If the alliance breaks, the potential for trouble in the 2022 election will rise significantly.
An unexpected beneficiary of this battle within the Jubilee Party is Raila Odinga, who has increasingly become a key player in the Kenyatta succession.
Were you the brain child behind this Omollo? If so- brilliant.There is a fella here who thinks so.
Were you the brain child behind this Omollo? If so- brilliant.There is a fella here who thinks so.
storm in the tea cup.Chance for Ruto to teach a few washed up gema busy bodies real politik.This is more cold war post nasa collapse as nasa are shared.
If Ruto wants to stay around long enough to fight for the presidency, he should embrace the handshake and find out how he can contribute. If he continues to fight it imagining he is fighting Raila, he is in effect fighting interests far too powerful for him to take on even if he had 200 lifetimes.
That is all I can say.
I do not see how Ruto fits into the handshake. Raila may have room for him but I do not think MKM has room for him. Ruto's rift with MKM is irreparable because its based on money and power unless Ruto is ready to give up is ambition for power and half or more of his monetary empire. Ruto has to make the offer that Njonjo made to Moi to let him be for them to let him be. I do not think that Ruto is going to do that and therefore they have to fight it out.
OK prof of politics, explain to us laymen how the collapse of nasa is weakening jubilee. I do not think Robina will swallow that sick logic. Let me tell you whats going to happen next, the so called Mt. Kenya support is going to collapse on by one like that standard one subtraction song- "Ten green bottles standing on the wall".storm in the tea cup.Chance for Ruto to teach a few washed up gema busy bodies real politik.This is more cold war post nasa collapse as nasa are shared.
It simple.Uhuru is trying to leverage his handshake with Raila but he discovered Ruto already bought half of Raila stake.Therefore there is equilbrium and the water is going to settle.I doubt we will see any war but panic as the reality of Ruto pork become inevitable ..just few scared Uhuru orphans who are hoping uhuru can rule indefinitely..or at least extend his term.The same inept folks who wanted madvd to inherit Kibaki abd formed a party for maDVD.OK prof of politics, explain to us laymen how the collapse of nasa is weakening jubilee. I do not think Robina will swallow that sick logic. Let me tell you whats going to happen next, the so called Mt. Kenya support is going to collapse on by one like that standard one subtraction song- "Ten green bottles standing on the wall".storm in the tea cup.Chance for Ruto to teach a few washed up gema busy bodies real politik.This is more cold war post nasa collapse as nasa are shared.
Is that what you guys are selling the Kalenjin populace? How long do you really think they are going to buy that. This is an elevator from the top floor to the ground floor my friend.It simple.Uhuru is trying to leverage his handshake with Raila but he discovered Ruto already bought half of Raila stake.Therefore there is equilbrium and the water is going to settle.I doubt we will see any war but panic as the reality of Ruto pork become inevitable ..just few scared Uhuru orphans who are hoping uhuru can rule indefinitely..or at least extend his term.The same inept folks who wanted madvd to inherit Kibaki abd formed a party for maDVD.OK prof of politics, explain to us laymen how the collapse of nasa is weakening jubilee. I do not think Robina will swallow that sick logic. Let me tell you whats going to happen next, the so called Mt. Kenya support is going to collapse on by one like that standard one subtraction song- "Ten green bottles standing on the wall".storm in the tea cup.Chance for Ruto to teach a few washed up gema busy bodies real politik.This is more cold war post nasa collapse as nasa are shared.
I would believe there is real war if Ruto CSs were fired. Kina Rotich, Chelugui, etc. Or Boinett or some parastatal chiefs. But this one is just cold war, and Ruto is playing well so far. Callling Uhuru Mheshimiwa Rais and preaching Big Four. 2001-2 Kanu had more intrigues... with Kanu A, B and Raila.
I just think the intrigues have started too early. Uhuru should mind his legacy more than the affairs of the MKM hyenas and vultures... and focus on the Big Four instead of starting a civil war.
National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale has denied that there is a split in the ruling Jubilee Party.
This follows reports that there is growing internal hostility between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.
Speaking Sunday when he disbursed constituency bursaries at Garissa High School, Mr Duale said the coalition is more united than even before the 2017 General Election.
He said the Party has the highest number of elected leaders in the country after 15 parties were merged to form Jubilee.
"We have one president and a party leader whom all of us, starting from the deputy president to the lowest person, take orders from him and that is President Uhuru Kenyatta," said the vocal Jubilee lawmaker.
INTERNAL TURMOIL
Related Content
Uhuru-Ruto marriage on the rocks
The Garissa Township MP was responding to reports claiming of internal turmoil within the party over Mr Ruto’s bid for the presidency in the 2022 elections.
Political commentators have recently questioned the seemingly end of the political marriage between President Kenyatta and his deputy as each camp has been raising conflicting approaches on various matters including the fight against corruption.
But Mr Duale said those doubting Jubilee’s unity are in for a rude shock as the leadership is working to unite the country and implement the Big Four agenda.
The handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga has also raised eyebrows with Mr Ruto's camp claiming the opposition leader is out scuttle Jubilee unity.
Senator Murkomen: We have discovered, after research, that some people in the President’s office are leaking information that has been used to propagate propaganda #SundayLive w/ @HusseinMohamedg pic.twitter.com/YLeAa4XI8P
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 24, 2018
Jubilee simmering cracks? @HusseinMohamedg hosts @kipmurkomen on #SundayLive. Tune in! pic.twitter.com/APojFySxdb
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 24, 2018
Senator Murkomen: If the President and the Deputy President do not face the issues squarely, I can tell you for sure
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 24, 2018
‘Tusipoziba ufa tutajenga ukuta’ #SundayLive w/ @HusseinMohamedg pic.twitter.com/HXNGJP6AwS
Senator Murkomen: There are people who lie to the President, telling him that his only legacy will be the Big 4. I think an honest presidency, a united gov’t count for much as well #SundayLive
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 24, 2018
Senator Murkomen: We are concerned about a ‘small wing’ of individuals who occupy high offices, who spend their time planting seeds of discord within Jubilee #SundayLive w/ @HusseinMohamedg pic.twitter.com/dyqYjcntz0
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 24, 2018
Rift Valley MPs woo Peter Kenneth to DP Ruto’s camp. MPs urge him to be Ruto’s 2022 running mate #SundayLive w/@HusseinMohamedg pic.twitter.com/xWRKpjeAWj
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 24, 2018
Rift Valley MPs woo Peter Kenneth to DP Ruto’s camp. MPs urge him to be Ruto’s 2022 running mate #SundayLive w/@HusseinMohamedg pic.twitter.com/xWRKpjeAWj
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 24, 2018
The MPs from Central region, who included Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), Irungu Kang’ata (Senator, Murang’a), Kindiki Kithure (Senator, Tharaka Nithi), called for a coalition between Jubilee and Mr Kenneth’s KNC party ahead of the 2022 elections.
Pundit - what's happening? Ruto wants to send Uhuru to bed early using sleeping drought :) This would be a Guinness masterstroke .
Even the pugnacious Omollo's impressed.
The Truth Could Set You Free . . . in a shorter amount of time
You have missed the point.
Pundit has been denying that there is is no war between Uhuru and Ruto. He has called any suggestions of the same as voodoo and specifically Omollo's voodoo. I posted proof of the ongoing open and bloody warfare between the two. I posted the images of Ruto's Svengali saying it as Ruto asked him to.
That said, Ruto is dreaming. The planned vote to impeach Uhuru (incase he goes ahead with the referendum plans) will backfire. Kenya's history is full of persons who have had two thirds plus MPs in their hip pockets. I have listed Mboya and JM. But I left out Charles Njonjo who at one time practically had ALL ministers except Biwott, in his pocket. He controlled parliament and owned The Boer Run Special Branch. In effect he had choked information from reaching Moi.
Yet he made one blunder and that is: In Africa you can not use democratic means like vote of no confidence to remove a despot. You can't use the courts and you really can't ask him to leave. It simply doesn't work.
So Ruto's games are just games. He will lose money. If Uhuru wants the referendum he will get it and Ruto's MPs will vote for or against it. Uhuru has the numbers and will unleash the oppressive and coercive instruments of the one thing he controls and Ruto does not.
Just for the record: I am not impressed. If I thought Ruto was a smooth operator, his sending Svengali has dissuaded me. When you are deputy president and the president is canning you daily, as long as he does not fire you unanyamza and praise him. Ask Moi how many times Kenyatta landed his bakora. The old geezer was a drunkard and Moi was a teetotaler. Imagine being forced to drink whisky? You can't know because you are a drinking woman
Uhuru and Ruto are not fighting - this is more seizing each other post hand-shake. This is more a cold war than open war. This is USSR versus US. Proxy war. Some few Uhuru folks (mostly civil servants who'd be orphaned if Ruto wins) think they can leverage Raila handshake toPundit waiting for this:
Did you expect mortars and shells?
That, Pundit, will be your Political Lesson Number 2:
1. Most political wars are not fought with mortars and shells
Repeat that 100 times.
2. Political wars in Kenya are fought through proxies sometimes called Dogs who are controlled by the Puppet Masters sometimes called "Dog Owners".
Repeat that 200 times.
Lastly a comment: What you describe below Pundit is THE war. What you call the "cold war" is the war.
I of course disagree. Politics is more "war" everday but the day Uhuru stick is neck out - then they will be war.This is nothing new. btw 2013-2014 - Ruto was facing the same war from Iringo, Nancy & group - who were still fighting post 2013 elections- obviously there eventually lost. The same case here is playing out.
Uhuru has his neck out. I have not verified but didn't Robina say Murage urged MPs not to attend?
You are falling for that old trick: "Napoleon is good but his dogs are bad". Dogs are sent. When they bark they are sent and when they wag their tails they are acting on orders.
Ruto is only sending indirect barbs but using his proteges to pour venom. Likewise Uhuru is sending indirect barbs like volunteering Ruto to be second in the LSA (Lifestyle Audit).
When Moi went after Njonjo he simply whined about some traitor and the rest went like clock work.
Murathe is Uhuru's bag carrier in Jubilee party HQ - but if Uhuru wanted to start a real war with Ruto - he'd go politicians - not civil servants & busybodies. Let him unleash Moses Kurias of politics and we will get it. Right now they only have Wambugu Ngunjiri & well Mutua of Machakos - who is now dealing with bigger issues.
You are slowly but surely getting to what I tried to tell you at the beginning. The question is WHY?
Is it so hard for him to tell Moses Kuria and Ichungwa to bite Ruto? Have they rebelled against their master?
Those people are acting under orders. It is not because Ruto has given them money, which he has. It is because their instructions are to be exceedingly nice to Ruto.
It is not because they are against Raila. Not a chance. Kuria owes his position to Mama Ngina and remember the MP he took over from met an early and sudden death.
You have missed the point.
Pundit has been denying that there is is no war between Uhuru and Ruto. He has called any suggestions of the same as voodoo and specifically Omollo's voodoo. I posted proof of the ongoing open and bloody warfare between the two. I posted the images of Ruto's Svengali saying it as Ruto asked him to.
That said, Ruto is dreaming. The planned vote to impeach Uhuru (incase he goes ahead with the referendum plans) will backfire. Kenya's history is full of persons who have had two thirds plus MPs in their hip pockets. I have listed Mboya and JM. But I left out Charles Njonjo who at one time practically had ALL ministers except Biwott, in his pocket. He controlled parliament and owned The Boer Run Special Branch. In effect he had choked information from reaching Moi.
Yet he made one blunder and that is: In Africa you can not use democratic means like vote of no confidence to remove a despot. You can't use the courts and you really can't ask him to leave. It simply doesn't work.
So Ruto's games are just games. He will lose money. If Uhuru wants the referendum he will get it and Ruto's MPs will vote for or against it. Uhuru has the numbers and will unleash the oppressive and coercive instruments of the one thing he controls and Ruto does not.
Just for the record: I am not impressed. If I thought Ruto was a smooth operator, his sending Svengali has dissuaded me. When you are deputy president and the president is canning you daily, as long as he does not fire you unanyamza and praise him. Ask Moi how many times Kenyatta landed his bakora. The old geezer was a drunkard and Moi was a teetotaler. Imagine being forced to drink whisky? You can't know because you are a drinking woman.
No, I'm not a drinking woman. :)
There are important differences between Ruto and especially Njonjo but also Tom Mboya and JM:
-Jomo was senile and was bound to drop dead soon.
-Jomo had absolute power and could get away with anything including assassinations.
-Jomo could fire the VP.
-None of these men was VP.
In short these men were mere ministers scheming to dethrone the constitutional heir apparent. Ruto is the heir apparent. The MKM or Raila fits their place better. Ruto is the 70s Moi and calls the incompetent boss Mheshimiwa Rais at every opportunity. Murathe is the one who will need a Njonjo deal after 2022.