Go slow on Ruto, Kenyatta family warns Uhuru – Weekly Citizen

A section of members of the First Family are piling pressure on Uhuru Kenyatta to cease reprimanding his deputy William Ruto in public.

The family members who include First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and the president’s private secretary Jomo Gecaga are telling the head of state that his attacks on his deputy are making him unpopular particularly in Mount Kenya region that voted for him to a man in the last polls.

Ruto

The deputy president currently enjoys overwhelming support in Mount Kenya region.

The First Family members are also concerned that Uhuru has remained mum even as some cabinet secretaries openly castigate Ruto, a move that is painting the government as divided, directionless and, as Ruto would put it himself, rudderless.

This comes as Ruto also piles pressure on Uhuru to sack CSs who are undermining him, arguing their actions go against collective responsibility which dictates the cabinet speaks in one voice.

The CSs attacking Ruto include Interior Fred Matiang’i, ICT’s Joe Mucheru and Trade’s Peter Munya as well as Matiang’i PS Karanja Kibicho. Ruto men have chided the four saying that was it not for Ruto, they would not be in government.

The first family, according to sources, wants Uhuru to adopt a neutral stand like that of the First Lady who has been attending events hosted by Ruto’s wife, Rachel and Raila’s wife, Ida.

Margaret won accolades after she attended a function hosted by Rachel where the two women stepped up their dedication to the empowerment of women.

Rachel had brought together local and international leaders at Kasarani in Nairobi to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Joyful Women Organisation, which she founded.

The function, held on November 29, was also attended by Oludolapo Osinbajo, the spouse of Nigerian vice-president Yemi Osinbajo, Gender CS Margaret Kobia and Ruto’s mother Mama Sarah Cheruiyot.

A few days later, Margaret attended another function hosted by Ida.

During Ida’s event, the duo posed with branded T-shirts for the launch of the Beyond Zero 2020 Half Marathon but the move assumed a political angle with some leaders questioning who gave Ida a T-shirt branded 0022.

According to the politicians, mainly from Tangatanga, the choice of 0022 engraved on Ida’s jersey was a strong political statement.

Insiders aver that Margaret is disturbed that her husband might leave the presidency a dejected man if the tide turns against him particularly in Mount Kenya region.

First Lady and Uhuru

Already, Uhuru’s mood swings from jolly to grumpy are portraying him as a man who is not only not dignified, but one who is not in charge of his affairs. There are however others who say such habits are common with drunkards.

His outbursts and declaration that come January he will go to Mount Kenya region to face his detractors who think he is a fool and know nothing about the political developments have exposed him as an injured president.

The First Family members, sources add, believe Uhuru is fighting his own shadow since nearly all the leaders across the political divide have pledged to back the BBI report and hence his detractors are of his own making.

Insiders add it is the First Family members who directed State House spokesperson Kanze Dena to dismiss claims that Ruto was locked out of a meeting between the president and Raila at Bomas of Kenya.

Moments after the launch of BBI at Bomas, a video of Ruto standing outside while Uhuru and Raila were holed up in a meeting did rounds on social media and many thought that the writing was on the wall for the DP.

The First Family, according to sources, is concerned that the president’s key advisers are finding it difficult to address meetings in Mount Kenya region and the same is likely to be replicated in Rift Valley.

They fear that Uhuru is likely to be heckled if he takes Raila to Central when they start marketing the Building Bridges Initiative report in Jubilee strongholds.

Kalonzo

They fear the ground in Jubilee strongholds is hostile to Uhuru and Raila, fears also communicated to the president by the National Intelligence Service.

Already, some senior government officials close to Uhuru are finding it difficult to address public meetings in their home counties.

Three weeks ago Kibicho openly demonstrated his anger after an event he was attending turned chaotic, taking a dramatic turn.

Kibicho and Matiang’i had led about 30 MPs to a fundraiser in Ndia, which turned chaotic after nominated MP Maina Kamanda refused to acknowledge Ruto as Uhuru’s partner.

Kamanda angered the crowd when he heaped praises on Raila for his union with Uhuru under the BBI while ignoring to mention Ruto. The nominated MP was forced to cut short his speech.

When the heckling intensified, an angry Kibicho lost his cool, took the microphone and demanded for normalcy, telling those “who were not interested in what was being said to leave the venue”.

He also accused them of acting primitive, expressing disappointment that a function he had organised and invited leaders from across the political divide was being turned into a political battlefront.

Similar conduct was displayed by Matiang’i, who told off Ruto’s allies who have been accusing Kibicho of undermining the DP.

Matiang’i

He said that whoever is unhappy with what happens in the Office of the President should direct their anger to him and Uhuru, but leave Kibicho out of it.

Insiders further add that the First Family believes Uhuru’s attacks on Ruto are making the deputy president more popular by earning him voters’ sympathy.

The pro-Ruto MPs who Uhuru have been attacking are also becoming heroes in Mount Kenya region due to their defiance while those supporting the president are appearing as villains.

This heroism was evident when Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro was arrested. Scores of Kiharu residents staged a demonstration which forced the authorities to abandon plans to charge the MP.

The NIS, according to our sources, has briefed the first family that the likes of Ndindi are gaining the support like that accorded to Kenneth Matiba in the run-up to the 1992 general election.

Raila

Hence, there is a likelihood of all Uhuru’s allies losing their seats in the 2022 general election.

Last week the pro-Ruto Tangatanga group scuttled a meeting called by the State House-leaning group under the guise of the Mt Kenya Foundation at Ole Sereni hotel in Nairobi.

Meeting invitations had been sent out to all Mt Kenya MPs by deputy chief whip in the national assembly Cecily Mbarire and senate deputy chief whip Irungu Kang’ata.

It read: “Mheshimiwa, further to our message please note that you are invited for a breakfast meeting of all Mt Kenya MPs and Senators on Thursday 5th December 2019.

“Agenda: Being taken through the BBI report by a team of experts. Please be punctual.”

This drove the MPs mad with some going ballistic hurling insults to Kang’ata and Mbarire for daring treat them like common voters in need of direction.

Upon realising that the meeting would flop, Kang’ata and Mbarire quickly consulted with State House official Njee Muturi and called off the meeting in fear of embarrassment.

“Mheshimiwa, after several consultations, we have decided to cancel the Mt Kenya Breakfast Meeting, scheduled for Thursday 5th December 2019 at the Ole Sereni Hotel from 7.30am. We will continue to engage you further, appreciate all your views and will communicate at a later date. Have a nice evening,” Kang’ata and Mbarire said in another text to senators and MPs.

Uhuru’s latest outburst against the DP was in his home county, Kiambu where, in utter shock the audience listened as Uhuru as he said Kenyans are not fools and politicians should stop dictating to them what they should do with the Building Bridges Report.

“Every time they come, it is just lecturing you on what you should do. You are the ones who know what you will do and I know Kenyan people want peace and unity and that their money is used in a way that benefits mwananchi,” Uhuru said in Kikuyu language which even seemed to cheapen him more as president. It is worth noting that Kenyans have never heard former presidents Daniel Moi and Mwai Kibaki address in vernacular.

His comments came a day 57 legislators from Mt Kenya while meeting at a hotel in Embu said any constitutional amendment in relation to the report should be parliament-led something that Uhuru is against.

According to insiders, the first family is also concerned that Ruto is earning the voters’ sympathy and if he decides to resign he will deal Uhuru a big blow.

Jomo Gecaga

The DP has also avoided retaliation and is now emerging as a victim of the political dynasties out to ensure their continued hold on power.

Last week legislators allied to him made a bold declaration that they would support the BBI, a move that left the president in an awkward position as he is now left to fight his own shadow.

Insiders add that the First Family members are backing a cabinet reshuffle to weed out CSs attacking Ruto and non-performers.

They are convinced the anti-Ruto CSs are not adding any value to Uhuru’s legacy and the sooner they are replaced the better.

This comes as Ruto piles pressure on Uhuru to appoint a substantive National Treasuty cabinet secretary.

The DP is pushing for a Kalenjin to occupy the docket previously held by Henry Rotich, also a Kalenjin. Rotich was relieved of his duties after he was charged with graft.

President Kenyatta

The acting Finance CS is Ukur Yatani, an ally of Baringo senator Gideon Moi.

But the men calling the shots at the National Treasury are Julius Muia, the principal secretary and Nelson Gaichuhie, chief administrative secretary and a former Subukia MP. Both are key allies of the president.