I'm Not Being Fought by State House Operatives, Deputy President William Ruto Says

Deputy President William Ruto has refuted reports that some powerful officials close to President Kenyatta are fighting his bid for presidency in 2022.

Ruto said he is in good working terms with all public servants and reports that some State House officials were plotting to stop him from succeeding President Uhuru are untrue.

“The Deputy President has noted the content of the said story, which does not reflect his relationship with the public servants, whose names and pictures have been displayed on the newspaper,” the DP said in a statement dispatched by his spokesman David Mugonyi.

On Monday, the Star reported that Deputy President William Ruto allies had named Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, State House Comptroller and former Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua and Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho as among powerful state officials plotting to scuttle the DP's 2022 presidential bid.

Also in the list was Jubilee Party Vice Chairperson David Murathe and former President Kenyatta advisor Nancy Gitau.

The reports came amid claims of divisions in Jubilee, but party Secretary General Raphael Tuju on Monday downplayed the rumors.

“I hear about different wings in Jubilee Party. As Secretary General, I’ve been looking for these wings and I’ve not seen them. We only have legs in Jubilee… The legs of our foot soldiers working to try and deliver what we promised Kenyans in our manifesto,” said Tuju in a press briefing on Monday.

He continued: “This question of wings is a storm in a tea cup. We have one party, one president and one deputy President.”

“I would like to assure members that there is nothing even remotely close to a crisis in the party."