President Uhuru Kenyatta has intensified scrutiny of Deputy William Ruto amid allegations of misconduct, with regional leaders accusing the vice president of undermining supporters and mismanaging key sectors.
According to Jubilee Party officials, Kenyatta is preparing to confront Ruto in the Mlima Kenya region, where his allies claim Ruto has committed "misconduct" and is undermining supporters. The president cited the 2013-2017 period, when Ruto served as agriculture minister under Mwai Kibaki, as a critical era of alleged mismanagement.
Kenyatta specifically referenced the 2021 closure of sugar estates in western Kenya, stating, "When those estates closed, I was president. Ruto was the agriculture minister." He also highlighted the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC), noting it now slaughters 300 cattle daily compared to 30 under Ruto's tenure.
Regional lawmakers have accused Kenyatta of fostering divisions through "tribal" political strategies. Mbunge Aden Duale claimed the president "allows tribal groups to form" to "divide Kenyans," adding, "If you want to know the truth, ask Ruto what he did." Duale also criticized Kenyatta for allegedly prioritizing tribal interests over national unity.
Analysts suggest the tensions reflect deeper rifts within the ruling coalition. Political commentator Javas Bigambo noted, "Ruto's allies are using rhetoric to pressure Kenyatta, but the real issue is whether the president will address allegations of misconduct." Bigambo added that Ruto's supporters aim to weaken Kenyatta's influence in Mlima Kenya.
The conflict underscores ongoing challenges in Kenyan politics, with both leaders navigating accusations of corruption and governance failures amid a critical election cycle.
