Deputy President William Ruto has escalated tensions with President Uhuru Kenyatta, openly challenging anti-corruption efforts targeting his allies and accusing investigators of political bias. The conflict centers on allegations involving Sh21 billion in funding for the Arror and Kimwarer dams, with Ruto disputing the figures and condemning what he calls 'selective prosecutions.'
Ruto's allies, including Bomet Governor Joyce Laboso, have accused the government of persecuting him, with Laboso stating, 'We are seeing our person being persecuted. He is being treated as though he never worked.' Ruto has framed the investigations as a political strategy to undermine his influence, declaring, 'It’s impunity, it’s politics, and it’s headed in the wrong direction.'
The dispute has deepened as Uhuru Kenyatta reaffirms his confidence in anti-corruption officials, including Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti and Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji. 'We reformed the offices of the DCI and DPP, and appointed people who are ready to fight corruption,' Kenyatta stated, defending the ongoing probes.
Jubilee MPs have responded with mixed reactions. Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu suggested Ruto's actions constitute a direct challenge to Kenyatta, while Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen criticized the investigations as a 'charade' weaponized for 2022 political battles. 'It saddens me when I see the labelling of Kenyan citizens based on their ethnic identity as corrupt,' Murkomen said.
Political analysts warn the rift could escalate into full-scale conflict, with Ruto's allies no longer concealing their opposition to Kenyatta's leadership. 'The handshake [between Kenyatta and Raila Odinga] is the worst political fraud ever witnessed,' Murkomen tweeted, accusing the anti-corruption campaign of being a 'sham' to target specific individuals.
