DP contradicts clergy on failed truce parley with Head of State
By Anthony Mwangi, October 4, 2021Deputy President William Ruto yesterday hit back at the Catholic Bishops for accusing him of having snubbed a reconciliation meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The bishops had lamented lack of interest by the President and his deputy to strike a truce, with Catholic Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria saying they had prayed for the day to become a reality.
The bishops are reported to have told a local daily that Uhuru and Ruto have not formally responded to their invitation for talks.
Reports attributed to Muheria claimed that the President and his deputy had failed to honour their invitation for talks.
But yesterday, Ruto released a letter sent to the clerics confirming his willingness to attend the meeting.
Resolve differences
In the letter, which was sent on September 16, Ruto had welcomed the bishop’s efforts to bring order to the current state of the nation.
“It is for this reason that I appreciate with humility your concerns about the state of my relationship with His Excellency the President in the context of peace and tranquillity in the country,” Ruto wrote.
He added: “I want to give you my assurance that I hold nothing against his Excellency the President, I supported him unconditionally and respect his mandate as Head of State.
I have had the privilege and honour of serving as his deputy for nine years during which much has been attempted and much achieved.”
The clergy had offered to step in and end the differences between the duo, which has resulted in sharp divisions in the government splitting the ruling party into factions.
A source at the DP’s office said the bishops did not acknowledge receiving the letter.
He says he is ready to actualise calls from the clergy for mediation between him and his boss.
In a Twitter post yesterday, Ruto reposted his letter to the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops conveying his willingness to have the rift between him and the President resolved.
National Congress of Pentecostal Churches and Ministries has also made efforts to unite Uhuru and his deputy.
The congress also requested the DP to agree to their call to sit down with his boss and resolve the differences before they get out of hand.
Addressing a delegation of grassroots leaders from Kandara constituency last week, Ruto said that he has full respect for his boss, Uhuru and was willing to meet him any time for talks to address the simmering differences between them.
“I’m ready. The clergy have said that they want to unite me and the President. I’m ready without any condition,” Ruto said.
Last year similar efforts by retired Catholic head John Cardinal Njue and other clergy to reconcile the duo failed.