https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2020-09-25-why-ruto-has-one-foot-out-of-jubilees-door/Deputy President William Ruto has indicated he is on his way out of
Jubilee as he assembles his own political machine to run for president in 2022.
A day after President Uhuru Kenyatta's confidants thwarted his spirited efforts to have Jubilee field a candidate in Msambweni, Kwale, a defiant Ruto has rolled up his sleeves for a political showdown.
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Raring for a duel with his boss President Uhuru and ODM chief Raila Odinga, Ruto has decided to support an independent candidate for the December by-election in Msambweni.
The move will complicate Raila's bid for an easy win in Msambweni, a seat his ODM party held until Suleiman Dori died in March.
Ruto's no-holds-barred approach to take on the two 'brothers' in the December 15 by-election suggests the DP is fed up with the ruling party.
Daringly, Ruto on Thursday presented Feisal Abdallah Bader, a former aide and Dori's relative, as his candidate in the by-election.
The move by Ruto to flex his political muscle sets the stage for an epic battle for control of the Coast, one of Raila's strongholds.
On Thursday, Ruto's allies warned Raila and his backers to prepare for a titanic fight in Msambweni, saying ODM's influence at the Coast region was waning.
“We are ready to pull out all the stops to ensure Team Feisal captures the seat by a landslide,” said Nyali MP Mohamed Ali, a key Ruto ally.
The DP on Thursday hosted Feisal alongside MPs Athman Shariff (Lamu East), Owen Baya (Kilifi North), Khatib Mwashetani (Lunga Lunga), Aisha Jumwa (Malindi) and Ali.
The meeting at his Karen residence was seen as a bold display of rebellion by the DP's camp, hours after the President's men shocked him with Jubilee's withdrawal from the Msambweni race, clearing the field for Raila.
“Met an aspirant for Msambweni parliamentary seat Feisal Abdallah Bader in company of Coast MPs....” Ruto tweeted before he stormed Kajiado for grassroots meetings.
The DP is journeying across the country in a charm offensive to consolidate his backyards and penetrate new territory.
His presenting a parallel candidate for the by-election is one of many calculated manoeuvres, sending signals he could be plotting to exit Jubilee