This archive report was first published on 24 May 2020.
Published on May 24, 2020, President Kenyatta's purge on Deputy President William Ruto's supporters in Parliament has reached a boiling point, leaving Ruto's road to State House uncertain.
As the President continues to crack down on Members of Parliament who are not in his good books, Ruto's aides have been left rudderless, struggling to navigate the treacherous waters of Kenyan politics.
According to an insider within Ruto's power axis, the Deputy President is facing a daunting task in clinching the 2022 presidency, with the opposition and Kieleweke wing of the Jubilee coalition ganging up against him.
On May 24, 2020, the opposition and Kieleweke wing dealt a significant blow to Ruto by impeaching the outgoing Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Professor Kithure Kindiki, in a record 3-hour debate in the house. Only 7 members voted against the impeachment motion.
It was a dramatic moment when Ruto's allies abandoned him at his hour of need, voting with the Kieleweke team. Notable figures who abandoned Ruto included Senator Millicent Omanga, who was believed to have vowed to stick with him to the end, and Professor Margaret Kamar, who voted for the ouster of Professor Kindiki.
