On March 10, 2019, Deputy President William Ruto accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of leveraging the anti-corruption campaign to hinder his political ambitions ahead of the 2022 elections. Ruto alleged that certain Jubilee Party leaders were using misinformation to discredit individuals, stating, "Corruption cannot be addressed through predetermined decisions or staged scandals. What we are witnessing is a clear political maneuver."
Ruto specifically rejected findings by Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti regarding the alleged misappropriation of Sh21 billion in the Kimwarer and Arror dams project, despite Kinoti's assertions aligning with the president's stance. The deputy president framed the investigations as politically motivated, emphasizing that the probe targeted his aspirations rather than illicit activities.
President Kenyatta maintained that the anti-corruption efforts targeted public fund theft rather than specific individuals or ethnic groups. He responded to Ruto's allegations by stating, "We must win the war on corruption. The DCI and DPP are performing effectively. Those spreading rumors should present evidence if they believe I have embezzled public funds."
The article's copyright year is listed as 2012, though the event occurred in 2019. The dispute underscores growing tensions within the ruling party as political figures navigate competing interests ahead of the 2022 presidential race.
