Murathe: Why Ruto Will Not Become President in 2022

Jubilee Party vice-chairman David Murathe maintains that Deputy President William Ruto will not win the 2022 presidential election.

Speaking at Uhuru Gardens ahead of the 58th Jamhuri Day celebrations on Sunday, Murathe claimed that the odds are stacked against Ruto succeeding President Kenyatta next year. 

He argued that no one has ever clinched the presidency in Kenya without having previously served as leader of opposition.

"My friend, no one has ever become the President in this republic until you have become the leader of the official opposition,” Murathe remarked.

He added: "Uhuru was the leader of the opposition, Kibaki was one, Moi was also the leader of the opposition when he was in KADU. Even Raila has been one. Nobody can be President of Kenya without being the leader of the opposition.”

At the same time, Murathe said he and other like-minded leaders will continue to root for ODM leader Raila Odinga to succeed Kenyatta since they believe he is a safe pair of hands.

Odinga, 76, formally declared on Friday that he will make his fifth bid for the presidency in the 2022 elections. He made the announcement during the Azimio La Umoja Convention at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

“I do hereby accept to present myself as a presidential candidate at the Presidential Election on 9th of August 2022 following the request and unanimous decision by this Azimio La Umoja,” said Odinga in his speech.

“I am not running for president to oppose anyone but to propose better policies. I am in this race to mold one indivisible nation. I am not at war with personalities, I am at war with ideologies that would lead this nation in the wrong direction,” he added.

Odinga unsuccessfully contested for the country’s presidency in 1997, 2007, 2013, and 2017.