Ruto to Uhuru: I'm not competing with you, step aside and let me deal with Raila

Deputy President William Ruto has fired back at his boss President Uhuru Kenyatta following criticism over his campaign promises to the Kenyan electorate ahead of the August 9 showdown.

DP Ruto, while addressing a rally in Tharaka Nithi on Saturday, told the Head of State to stay away from the political campaigns and await his retirement after the polls.

“When you needed a friend to stand with you, I stood with you. Raila never stood with you, Martha Karua never stood with you, I am not asking for you to support me, I am asking you to give me space so that I can deal with Raila,” stated Ruto.

“I am asking my brother Uhuru Kenyatta, mimi sishindani na wewe my friend, mimi nashindanda na Raila, wewe simama kando. I want Uhuru Kenyatta to step aside, huyo Raila nitammalizia asubuhi na mapema.”

Ruto similarly dismissed claims that he would probe the President, as alleged by a local daily on Saturday, saying he has no interest in personalities but rather in safeguarding the country’s economy and improving the people’s lives if he ascends to power.

“We are the ones who voted for Uhuru Kenyatta. We voted for him na hakuna mtu atamfuata, hakuna mtu atamfanya chochote, tunamheshimu kama kiongozi ambaye anaenda kuretire,” Ruto said.

“He is trying to correct me, but I’m telling my brother, you told me you wanted to work with the others, if they have failed, what are you blaming me for? When I stepped aside, the Big Four collapsed.”

Kenya Kwanza allies who accompanied the DP on Saturday included his running mate Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira MP), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu MP), Senator Kindiki Kithure, Governor Muthomi Njuki and Speaker Justin Muturi among others.

Nyoro weighed in to emphasize that the Kenya Kwanza government had so much work to do for the country to even focus on President Kenyatta after clinching the presidency.

“Our plate is already full, we have no issues in following people personally; we have no business, no vendetta against any politician not even against the sitting president of Kenya,” he said.

Speaker Muturi on his part insisted that contrary to President Kenyatta’s remarks, the Kenya Kwanza outfit would continue to drum up support for Ruto.

“Tunaambia Uhuru sahii ni msimu wa siasa William Ruto hawezi tafuta kura kwa nyumba. Sijui kwa nini Uhuru amesahau ati akiskia Ruto akiongea ni kelele, ajue sahii ni wakati wa kampeni. Tunaambia Chebukati amkumbushe Uhuru,” he said.

Gachagua, on his part, stated: “Patia Ruto nafasi apunguze bei ya unga. Wachana na William Ruto wakenya wamchague arudishe kazi ya Big 4.”

The response by DP Ruto and his team comes after President Kenyatta, during an earlier address, lashed at the Kenya Kwanza chief accusing him of leading campaigns in the country while criticizing the government and making empty promises.

“...mimi nasikitika nikiona wengine ng'we ng'we, mtu amekuwa huku amepewa kazi badala ya kazi ni mdomo, alafu sasa tutafanya, na tutafanya…kwa nini hukufanya wakati ulikuwa huko?” Posed President Kenyatta during the Ushirika Day Celebrations at KICC.

“Hii mambo ya makelele kila saa, kichwa yako ni makelele huko na huku, watu wawache upuzi. Wanafikiria ukienda huko uone mtu ako na shida…mimi nitatatua hiyo. Kwa nini hukutatua huko mbele? Mwache kuniletea bwana!”