Ruto tells troops to backpedal on 2022 campaigns
By Seth Onyango, September 23, 2019
Deputy President William Ruto yesterday asked politicians in his camp to avoid early campaigns for the 2022 elections.
He urged his brigade to, instead, focus on helping the government fulfil its campaign pledges to the populace.
“Right now is not time for politics, the time for politics will come. Right now, we want to focus on development,” he told worshippers after attending a church service at ACK St. Patrick in Embakasi.
His move came a day after Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho accused him of creating confusion through his political overtures in Mt. Kenya.
In what could further sour relations between the two, Kibicho called out the DP for causing political and administrative confusion in Kirinyaga county.
“You just come here to reap where you did not sow. This is the kind of confusion we will not entertain,” the PS said.
“If you tell us you want to Tanga Tanga, what are you telling Kenyans who want money in their pockets to support their families? Please, give us a break from this noise,” he added.
Yesterday, Ruto called on his lieutenants to stop politicking and instead focus on government development programmes.
But Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa, however, hit out at Kibicho over his comments against the DP, accusing him of getting drunk with power.
Speaking when he accompanied the DP to Runyenjes, Embu County on Saturday, the MP accused the PS of chest thumping, adding that the power he has was donated by Kenyans.
He said the PS has no powers to intimidate Ruto and politicians allied to him from touring the expansive Mt Kenya region asserting that he has the mandate to serve all Kenyans.
In June, the Kikuyu Council of Elders raised concern over the early 2022 campaigns which it said threatens the country’s political and social stability.
Secretary-General Peter Munga, in a statement, urged Deputy President to ‘control’ his presidential ambitions and respect Uhuru.
Munga said Ruto should instead concentrate on helping the President manage the affairs of the nation.