Ruto Hits Back at President Uhuru for Denying Him Credit for Jubilee Gov’t Successes

Deputy President William Ruto has hit back at President Kenyatta over claims that he abandoned his duties to launch early presidential campaigns.

On Monday, Kenyatta said Ruto and his allies ignored his call to stop premature 2022 campaigns and focus on delivering their pledges to Kenyans.

"Sisi tumekuwa kazi kama jubilee na kama mnakumbuka mimi niliuliza kwa heshima tu nikasema tufanye kazi kwanza alafu turudi wakati wa siasa ukifika, nikaambiwa wewe huna uwezo wa kutuambia tuache, wakasema wacha sisi tutangatange," Uhuru said in Mombasa.

But in rejoinder, Ruto told off President Uhuru for trying to deny him credit for the successes of the Jubilee administration, saying the current government was a joint project between him and the president. 

Ruto, who was speaking at a roadside rally in Kakamega county on Tuesday, added that he has played a key role in the success of the Jubilee government.

“…I want to tell our friends, the Jubilee government was a joint project between Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto. I want to tell them you cannot deny me as Deputy President the credit we have achieved in the many things we have achieved as a government," Ruto stated.

"Anybody imagining that they can deny me the credit for the things we did in Jubilee are wasting their time. I made an equal contribution to the success of the Jubilee administration and I know too well, I have been in politics long enough that you plan theory in offices and execute practical in the field sometimes on top of cars," he added.

Ruto, who is eyeing the presidency in the forthcoming elections, further claimed that without him, the Jubilee government would not have existed or achieved anything.

"It is not going to happen my friends. Kama ni mpango wa mabarabara mimi niliketi nikapanga, kama ni mambo ya stima tuliketi chini tukapanga, kama ni mambo ya TTI tuliketi na tukapanga hata mambo ya elimu pia tuliketi na tukapanga pamoja," he remarked.

"Hauwezi kuniondoa katika mambo ambayo yamefaulu, kama singekueko serikali ya jubilee haingetengenezwa, let us face the truth."