Kenyan Deputy President Ruto’s Camp React After Uhuru’s Statement on 2022 Succession

By Wilson Kakuru Last updated Nov 6, 2018 1,465 0

DP William Ruto with Kipchumba Murkomen and Aden Duale. 2022 succession politics is causing jitters within the Kenyan party. Courtesy photo

Details have emerged of frantic efforts by DP Ruto’s camp after a bold declaration by President Uhuru Kenyatta that his choice of a successor in 2022 will be a shocker.

In the wake of the weighty remarks, political realignments are in the offing in DP Ruto’s Rift Valley backyard and at the center of this realignment is the DP and his political nemesis Isaac Ruto.

Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny was quoted saying that “You can’t take the President’s remarks lightly. They mean a lot, especially when they come at a time when Kenyans are aware there was an obvious political deal for 2022. The DP should know that the master is not happy”.

Also unsettled by the remarks was Former Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat who termed it as a wake-up call to DP Ruto’s camp that President Kenyatta may renege on his promise to back Ruto’s 2022 bid.

“He [Uhuru] has become a President playing his cards close to the chest. This is a wake-up call to the Deputy President and his team that all is not well. He should know that he is no longer the guaranteed successor,” Langat said.

Amidst speculation that DP Ruto could be on his way out of Jubilee after a public outburst in which he alleged that Odinga’s real intention in unity pact with Kenyatta is to kick him out of Jubilee “the way they did way back when I was in ODM”, the spanner has been thrown to works.

This week, a high powered delegation was dispatched on a mission to Court Chama Cha Mashinani’s Rutto.

The team, comprising of Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandago, John Lonyagapuo (West Pokot), Paul Chepkwony (Kericho), Samuel Tunai (Narok) and DP Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet did not hesitate in making their intention clear.

I have personally talked to both the President and his deputy on the intention to bring the former governor on board and our presence here today is to appeal to (Isaac)Ruto to be part us,” Mandago said.

Analysts opine that the visit was also informed by Gideon Moi’s resurgence as a key player in both Rift Valley and national politics that is posing a threat to Ruto’s bid.

Credit: Pulse live

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