Ruto reaches out to Uhuru for recognition after strategy hit roadblock
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Ruto reaches out to Uhuru to recognize his government after the plan to take over the Jubilee party hit a roadblock
Ruto reaches out to Uhuru to recognize his government after the plan to take over the Jubilee party hit a roadblock.
Political observers contend that President William Ruto’s reported decision to contact his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, through the Kanini Kega-led Jubilee faction, may indicate that the head of state was encircled in the struggle for control of the former ruling party.
According to reports, Ruto appealed with Kega, a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), and opposition Jubilee legislators to persuade Uhuru to recognize the current government.
Uhuru was also allegedly pressured to switch allegiance from former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.
Along with replacing Jubilee Party leaders and suspending those who supported Raila’s Azimio la Umoja, Ruto’s administration was accused of using Uhuru’s Ksh700 million retirement benefit to try to persuade him to leave politics.
Former Cheragany MP, Joshua Kutuny, alluded to a plan to convene a meeting with Uhuru to charter a way forward.
“Within the same period, we hope that our party leader (Uhuru Kenyatta) will reach out so that we explain to him why we want to exit.
Political Parties Tribunal had offered Uhuru an upper hand in the battle to control Jubilee, after it suspended the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties directive, which had acknowledged the suspension of Jeremiah Kioni and David Murathe as secretary general and vice chairman, respectively.
The two were replaced with Kanini Kega and Aden Keynan. ORPP, led by Anne Nderitu, had also ratified Kanini Kega-led faction’s plan to exit Azimio La Umoja but urged them to solve their squabbles internally.
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Political analyst Andati stated that reaching out to Uhuru would flop as the head of state already pledged his loyalty to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the late Education Cabinet Secretary George Omore Magoha’s burial.
However, he noted that the legislators would be compelled to proceed with their plan to exit Azimio despite Uhuru’s stance.
“The MPs who met Ruto at State House already made their minds. Even if Uhuru remains hesitant, they will still battle to leave Azimio,” he said.
“Another strategy would be challenging the Political Tribunal’s decision because Ruto is determined to take back Jubilee,” Andati explained.
According to insiders, a section of Jubilee MPs are also silently pushing Ruto to honour his State House pledge and reach out to the Jubilee Party leader before they exit Azimio.
Despite his security also being scaled down and the wrangle within Jubilee intensifying, Uhuru reiterated his support for Raila.
He also reportedly hinted at being ready to lose his Ksh700 million retirement perk, with the March 16 Constitutional deadline for his exit from politics fast approaching.
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