Rift Valley Leaders Dare President Uhuru to Ditch Deputy President William Ruto
A section of leaders drawn from the Rift Valley region have dared President Kenyatta to part ways with Deputy President William Ruto if he no longer has faith in him.
Led by Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, the leaders have accused Kenyatta of using the war on corruption to undermine Ruto.
Other leaders including Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, his Bomet counterpart Christopher Langat, MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret) and Hillary Koskei (Kipkelion) have expressed similar sentiments.
Speaking during the burial of Bomet East MP Beatrice Kones' son Collins Kipyegon Kalya, the leaders asked President Kenyatta to make a choice between sticking with Ruto or Opposition chief Raila Odinga.
“President Kenyatta should stop taking us in circles and call a snap election with Odinga as his running mate. That will validate their relationship that has resulted in turmoil,” says MP Koskei.
Kapseret MP Sudi has asked President Uhuru to publicly declare that he's done with DP Ruto.
“He should say so, that the political marriage is over. Uhuru should not hide behind the much-hyped fight against corruption when he is bringing down Ruto politically,” Sudi notes.
Adds Sudi: “We need to tell one another the truth. The situation is getting out of hand and Uhuru seems to be taking advantage to target us in Rift Valley in the name of fighting corruption. It seems President Kenyatta has got another option and it is time he declares it so that we part ways.”
Senator Murkomen has accused Odinga of using his handshake with Kenyatta to block Ruto's 2022 presidential bid.
“I am ready to face anybody and tell him that he cannot kick us out of a government we fought hard to build. We are tired and we must say it as it is."
“The handshake was a political conmanship with the objective of blocking Ruto from becoming president,” adds Mukomen.
“You cannot hide behind the handshake and fight against graft when we know that the agenda is to fight Ruto politically. Uhuru should come out and tell us he is tired with his deputy and we will call it a day."