This archive report was first published on 14 July 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has been accused of shielding his Deputy President William Ruto from multi-state agencies investigating corruption allegations, a move that has sparked controversy in the country.
According to sources, Uhuru has intervened on several occasions to prevent Ruto from being summoned or arrested by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The president's actions are said to be motivated by a desire to protect Ruto, who has been embroiled in several corruption scandals, including allegations of embezzlement and abuse of office.
One of the incidents that sparked Uhuru's intervention was when Ruto publicly claimed that three cabinet secretaries and principal secretaries from Mount Kenya region had hatched a plot to kill him.
Another incident was when Ruto made a similar claim at the burial of Sergeant Kipyegon Kenei, stating that the system wanted him out of the presidential race at whatever cost, meaning they wanted him dead.
Uhuru's efforts to shield Ruto have been met with criticism from some quarters, with some accusing the president of betraying his deputy and abandoning him.
However, sources close to the president claim that Uhuru is merely trying to use other means of neutralizing Ruto without allowing for avenues that can cause direct confrontation like summoning or arrest.
One of the ways Uhuru has been trying to achieve this is by reducing Ruto's role in the government, a move that has been seen as a way of limiting his influence and power.
According to insiders, the president removed the glamour at the DP's Harambee Annex by designating The Presidency into Executive Office of the President, with Ruto being one among other senior officials.
Uhuru has also created a new function at State House or within the executive, that of a parliamentary liaison, which has become the new bridge between the executive and parliament.
This move has reduced Ruto's role in running the government, with the holder of the new office now serving as the link between the executive and the national assembly and the direct link between party matters and the party leader.
Uhuru's secret mission to protect Ruto has been ongoing for some time, with sources claiming that the president has been engaged in secret talks with Western capitals to have travel bans on Ruto and his family lifted.
Despite the controversy surrounding Uhuru's actions, the president remains committed to protecting his deputy, a move that has been seen as a demonstration of his loyalty and commitment to Ruto.
