Rift Valley elders warn Ruto, Kanu wrangles will hurt Uhuru campaigns

Rift Valley Council of Elders Chairman Gilbert Kabage who says supremacy battles between Kanu luminaries and Deputy President William Ruto risk rocking the Jubilee boat and President Kenyatta's re-election campaigns. PHOTO | FRANCIS MUREITHI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Council Secretary Peter Charagu said the leaders are confusing voters and supporters of President Kenyatta.
  • Kanu leaders threatened to withdraw their support for the Jubilee if President Kenyatta does not tame Mr Ruto.
  • They accuse Mr Ruto of attacking Rift Valley politicians who support the Jubilee Party.

Elders from the Rift Valley region have warned that frequent wrangles between Kanu leaders and Deputy President William Ruto may hurt President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election bid.

The Rift Valley Council of Elders Chairman Gilbert Kabage says the supremacy battles between Kanu luminaries and the deputy president risk rocking the Jubilee boat.

“The infighting between Kanu leaders and the Deputy President is not healthy. It might hurt Jubilee Party’s efforts to marshal support for the Head of State,” warned Mr Kabage.

Council Secretary Peter Charagu said the leaders are confusing voters and supporters of President Kenyatta.

WORK WITH JUBILEE

“Kanu leaders should work with other Jubilee leaders and shelve their differences for now. How can they claim to be in a government yet they have differences with Mr Ruto who is part of that government?” wondered Mr Charagu.

In the latest political storm, Kanu leaders have asked President Kenyatta to tame his deputy whom they accuse of attacking Rift Valley politicians who support the Jubilee Party.

While attending the campaign launch of Kitilai Ntutu who is vying for the Narok South parliamentary seat on a Kanu ticket at Ololulunga in Narok County on Friday, the leaders, among them Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat and Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno said Mr Ruto is fond of provoking other Rift Valley leaders for no reason.

WITHDRAW SUPPORT

The leaders threatened to withdraw their support for the Jubilee Party if President Kenyatta does not tame Mr Ruto.

It is this move that prompted the elders to caution the leaders against rocking the Jubilee Party from within.

“We know the two leaders are harbouring ambitions of running for presidency in 2022. But they should shelf the ambitions for now and focus on drumming support for President Uhuru Kenyatta,” noted Mr Kabage.

In February 2017, Kanu threw its weight behind President Kenyatta’s re-election bid, ending speculation that it would join the opposition National Super Alliance (Nasa).

The decision was reached following a meeting of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC).

However, cracks indicating the frosty relations between DP Ruto and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi emerged almost immediately after Kanu announced their support for President Kenyatta.