This archive report was first published on 11 November 2019.
On Sunday, President Uhuru Kenyatta was set to preside over a fundraiser at the ACK Church in Kenol, Murang'a county. However, he cancelled his visit at the last minute, leaving many in shock, including his political handlers.
But what many didn't know was that Deputy President William Ruto had organized a parallel event in the Mt. Kenya region to rival the president. Ruto also had a fundraiser in Murang'a on the same day, but at the neighboring Kandara constituency, a move seen as a pissing contest with the head of state.
However, President Uhuru had seen Ruto's cunning plans and decided to tactfully act, prompting the last-minute cancellation of his Murang'a visit. Instead, he sent Interior CS Fred Matiang'i to represent him.
After his humiliating defeat in Kibra on November 7th, William Ruto has been on an overdrive anti-Odinga and anti-handshake roll. He has taken this war both on Twitter and on political rallies.
President Uhuru knew that all Tanga Tanga MPs in Central Kenya would have attended his event in Murang'a and turned it into a political rally to bash Raila Odinga and the handshake. The head of state did not want this to happen in his presence, as it would have shown he has lost the Mt. Kenya region to DP Ruto.
Published on November 11th, 2019.
