Uhuru-Ruto split would threaten peace in North Rift, say post-poll victims

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto. North Rift residents have expressed fears over a possible falling-out between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Former IDPs said the peace pact between President Kenyatta and the DP was still intact and told off those making contradictory statements.

  • A senior member of the Kikuyu Council of Elders was quoted by a local publication on Tuesday telling the DP to retire from politics with President Kenyatta when his term expires in 2022.

  • The former IDPs have cautioned that ODM leader Raila Odinga’s decision to work with President Kenyatta should not be the cause of divisions in Jubilee Party.

North Rift residents who bore the brunt of the deadly 2007-8 post-election violence have expressed fears over a possible falling-out between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto.

They said such an eventuality would derail reconciliation efforts between communities living in the region. The residents criticised some politicians from the region whom they said were fuelling animosity through reckless utterances.

The residents, most of whom were uprooted from their homes while others lost their relatives at the height of the violence which rocked many parts of region, also dismissed a section of Kikuyu elders who had called on Mr Ruto to retire from politics.

Mr Samuel Maara, a Kikuyu elder who led peace efforts between the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities in Burnt Forest at the height of the violence, urged politicians to tone down on political rhetoric and focus on uniting the country.

WORK TOGETHER

“President Kenyatta and the DP’s decision to work together was to unite the country, more so the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities. A person who does not know the problems we have undergone can now purport to speak on behalf of these communities,” said Mr Maara whose three vehicles and a food store were set ablaze by rioters.

He said Mr Ruto has shown that he is best placed to take over after President Kenyatta and the Central region will support him in 2022.

Former IDPs said the peace pact between President Kenyatta and the DP was still intact and told off those making contradictory statements.

A senior member of the Kikuyu Council of Elders was quoted by a local publication on Tuesday telling the DP to retire from politics with President Kenyatta when his term expires in 2022.

A spot check by Nation in many parts of the North Rift, which were the hotspots of the chaos as a result of the disputed presidential election results on Saturday, revealed that residents were going about their daily activities.

DIVISIONS IN JUBILEE

The former IDPs have cautioned that ODM leader Raila Odinga’s decision to work with President Kenyatta should not be the cause of divisions in Jubilee Party.

“Raila should not fight the DP as he also worked with him when he was in ODM. When he tells the DP not to engage in politics as 2022 will take care of itself, how sure is he that he will be there in 2022 himself?" asked Mr Maara Karanja of Yamumbi estate in Eldoret that was one of the violence hotspots.

Mr Joseph Keriri, another Uasin Gishu resident, said the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities have learnt from their past mistakes and won’t allow 2022 politics to divide them.

“We will not allow selfish political interests to divide us. At no time has President Kenyatta said he will not support the DP’s 2022 presidential bid,” said Mr Keriri.

He also cautioned a section of Rift Valley leaders who are said to be plotting to register a new political party, warning that this will divide the Jubilee further.

SUPPORT RUTO

A section of the youth in the region said the statement by the Kikuyu Council of Elders member that Mr Ruto should retire was a clear indication that they were not ready to support the Deputy President in 2022.

“We want to tell the elders that Ruto is not desperate for the elders’ support. It’s the people who have the final say on the nature of leaders to elect come 2022,” said Kerio Youths Association chairman Joel Kimaiyo.

He said Mr Ruto supported President Kenyatta as a friend and patriot with the aim of uniting the country and if they find it fit for them not to support the DP, then they are free to do so since "we are in a democratic country".