This archive report was first published on 1 July 2020.
Published on July 1, 2020, Deputy President William Ruto's stance on an expanded executive has undergone a significant shift. Initially opposed, he now appears to be in favor of the proposal.
According to sources close to Ruto, his change of heart is attributed to the intense pressure he's been under from President Uhuru Kenyatta. The latter is determined to cement his legacy within the next two years, leaving Ruto with little choice but to adapt.
“I am now ready to support the BBI’s Proposal to Expand the Executive since it might benefit me in 2022,” Ruto is said to have confided to one of his top allies.
With many of the country's top politicians having deserted him, Ruto believes that opposing the BBI would be suicidal. He also sees an opportunity to benefit from the expanded executive after 2022.
As the Uhuru-Raila axis continues to gain momentum, Ruto's decision to support the expanded executive has been seen as a calculated move to stay relevant in the current political landscape.
