This archive report was first published on 17 September 2019.
September 17, 2019
Deputy President William Ruto's access to State House has been restricted, with President Uhuru Kenyatta now requiring him to make prior appointments before visiting.
This move is seen as a significant shift in power dynamics between the two leaders, who were once close allies but have since become estranged.
According to sources, the decision to restrict Ruto's access to State House is aimed at controlling activities and avoiding embarrassing situations where he might bump into his political enemies, such as Raila Odinga and Gideon Moi, who have unbridled access to the president.
During Uhuru's first term in office, Ruto would often call State House Comptroller Lawrence Lenayapa to inquire about who was waiting to see the president. If he learned that his detractors were waiting, he would rush to State House and enter the meeting unannounced.
Lenayapa, who was believed to be Ruto's insider at State House, was later dropped following accusations of frustrating Uhuru's allies from accessing the president and tipping Ruto off about who was scheduled to meet the president.
The frosty relationship between Ruto and Uhuru has played out in public, with the president openly praising Raila following their handshake and indirectly rebuking his assistant.
The chemistry between the two has deteriorated, with Ruto at one time forced to cut short his Nyeri trip after it emerged that county leaders had gone to meet Uhuru without his knowledge.
Furthermore, the Interior Ministry has withdrawn security from some of Ruto's functions, further complicating matters for the Deputy President.
