Ruto: There is Nothing Like 'Deep State' or 'System' in Kenya

Deputy President William Ruto has denied the existence of the so-called ‘deep state’ and ‘system’ within government.

The deputy president says he has been part of the government since 2013 and has never seen the impact of the deep state—an alleged group of powerful people believed to be involved in the secret manipulation or control of the government.

“There is nothing like deep state or system. If there was such a thing, I would know because I am the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya,” Ruto said during an interview on Citizen TV.

If the deep state existed, Ruto says, the Supreme Court would not have nullified the 2017 presidential election, neither would his UDA party win the Kiambaa, Juja, and Msambweni parliamentary by-elections.

“Could we have won Kiambaa by-election if there was the deep state, will the court have nullified our election with president Kenyatta in 2017?” he posed.

Ruto, who is seeking to succeed President Kenyatta next year, also dismissed talks of the deep state as just sideshows meant to distract his bid for the presidency.

He expressed confidence that he will trounce Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential contest despite the support the ODM leader enjoys from President Kenyatta and government operatives.