This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
Deputy President William Ruto's Presidential Ambitions Face Setbacks ¶
Deputy President William Ruto's presidential ambitions are facing significant setbacks as he clashes with President Uhuru Kenyatta's second-term plans.
Published on May 14, 2020, the article highlights the deteriorating relationship between Ruto and Kenyatta, which is believed to have started with the March 2018 Handshake between Kenyatta and opposition chief Raila Odinga.
Ruto opposed the Handshake, calling it a ploy to scuttle his State House ambitions. However, Kenyatta appears to have chosen to side with Odinga, leading to a series of actions that have undercut Ruto's influence.
"Ruto's problems started with him thinking that this was a co-presidency. His greed for power is now finishing him," said nominated MP Maina Kamanda, summarizing the popular opinion in the President's camp.
As the clock ticks towards 2022, Ruto must choose between remaining loyal to a union that has all the signs of a broken marriage or step even closer to the sun by biting the bullet and calling Kenyatta's bluff by resigning.
However, even this option is not without its risks, with allies fearing that quitting the DP's post and the party will weaken him against future attacks.
"It is unfortunate that amid the Covid-19, floods, and landslides crises, the President is focused on targeting Ruto's supporters. You can take away these positions but you will never take away William Ruto from Kenyans' hearts," said vocal Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.
Belgut MP Nelson Koech also defended Ruto, saying he is "stronger than ever" and that "William Ruto is the clear frontrunner for 2022 and that is why he is the target of all these negative campaigns," he said.
Political analyst Macharia Munene argued that what is happening to Ruto is not unique, citing the betrayal of former Vice-President George Saitoti by President Moi in 2002, and that of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in 1966.
He believes that the constitutional provision that the President cannot fire his deputy means that "Ruto will be a factor in the 2022 succession politics as this constitutional knot cannot be wished away".
