Feb, 1st 2021 – The political differences between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto appeared to boil over the top with Ruto directly answering his boss over the president’s declaration that he owed no one a political debt.
Speaking in Transmara Narok County, the deputy president said President Kenyatta did not owe him any political debt but owed Kenyans the debt of delivering on government development projects.
He said, “I have always defended the Jubilee government’s track record because I know that together with the President we owe Kenyans good leadership and development since we were elected jointly.”
The DP now says that president Kenyatta owed him no political debt and that his decision to support him for president in 2013 and 2017 was not on condition that he returns the favor. He said, “I supported President Kenyatta in 2013 and 2017 without conditions. The Head of State should not be pushed to backing my 2022 candidature.” The only debt he says he identifies with is the promise to improve the livelihoods of Kenyans.
He added that he would only allow judgement based on his performance urging his rivals not to seek leadership in the country using shortcuts but sell their agenda to Kenyans. He said, “The route to leadership is through the people of Kenya. I pity any leader who thinks that he will be elected based on debts, ethnic mobilization, or political arrangements.” He added that the journey he started with the head of state in 2013 has not yet ended.
The deputy argued that he is not engaging in politics because of the alleged debts but because of his vision to empower the ordinary Kenyan. He said, “Let us unite and work together to better the lives of millions of Kenyans struggling at the base of the wealth pyramid,” Ruto said. Let us sell our ideas and policies to the people. That is the only way that they can rally behind us.”