The March 9th Handshake between President Kenyatta and Opposition Chief Raila Odinga might have brought some sense of peace and tranquility in the country but it has surely caused jitters and chaos in the political circles.
As other politicians especially those in the opposition faction have welcomed the move, others especially those allied to deputy President William Ruto have questioned the move with many of them seeing it as a political rubber stamp to jeopardize William Ruto’s chances of becoming the Country’s Chief in command.
The DP himself has already fired shots at opposition leaders he has accused of undermining him as succession politics takes centre stage just a year after the General Election.
Mr Ruto, who has often restrained himself from directly attacking opposition chief Raila Odinga since the March 9 handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta, came out guns blazing on Saturday.
“I will run over whoever will stand on my way,” Mr Ruto said in Tharaka Nithi.
To downplay the significance of the statement that also warned the opposition against attempts to divide the ruling party, he added, “If you try to stop the government’s work, I will deal with you. Jubilee’s priority is construction of roads, ensuring electricity connection, among others. Other things will follow at the right time,”
Mr Ruto also repeated a statement he made earlier in the week that he was the President’s only principal assistant and others should not claim the role.
Early in the week, Mr Ruto said he was the only one mandated by law to be “Mr Kenyatta’s errand boy.” He appeared to be reacting to Mr Musyoka’s remarks about being ready to work for the President.
“If anything goes wrong with the work of the President or the Jubilee Party, the first person that would be asked would be me, the one who took an oath to be Mr Kenyatta’s assistant. Did you see anyone else take oath at Kasarani to be Uhuru’s assistant?” the DP asked.
To keen observers. Mr Ruto fired a clear warning shot in the remarks at Kathaka in Kirinyaga County.
His frustrations are further compounded by incessant reports that taking over from President Kenyatta no longer had the previously assumed guarantee, hence the need to give a warning that he is no pushover.
Ruto has accused the opposition of stoking divisions in government, which could pass as a reference to the strengthening bond between Mr Kenyatta and Mr Odinga.
Mr Ruto’s allies, such as majority leaders in parliament Aden Duale and Kipchumba Murkomen, have in the past accused Mr Odinga of driving a wedge between the Jubilee chiefs.
While he is on record as saying he supports the handshake, Mr Ruto’s handlers hold that he will not support any arrangement threatening the Jubilee succession plan.
Opposition leaders led by MP Junet Mohammed have however called out the DP for creating unnecessary tension in the country. He has accused Ruto of creating imaginary enemies even before the real battle dates are unveiled.
“He is busy creating imaginary enemies before going ahead to fight them. His is a fight between Ruto the man and Ruto the shadow. We are not in government; do not plan to join it, but support a course we believe is for the good of the country,” the lawmaker from Suna East said.
Do you think that Ruto’s Chances to ascend to the Presidency are now uncertain after the Hand Shake?