The closing of ranks between President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA leader Raila Odinga is reportedly causing fears in Deputy President William Ruto’s camp.
Sources close to the DP are said to be in jitters citing that the newly found friendship between Uhuru and Raila could scuttle his 2022 bid.
According to the Star, his allies are in quietly plotting to reject any proposal that may arise seeking to slot in Raila in government because this could potentially dim his political ambition in 2022.
The reservation for Raila-Uhuru truce was first articulated by Senate Deputy Speaker and Tharaka Nithi Senator Prof Kithure Kindiki who is angling to deputize Ruto in 2022.
Kindiki last Sunday in his county asked Jubilee to be cautious with Raila because all is not what it seems to be.
“Jubilee should be cautious so that Raila does not mess it ahead of 2022,” he said as quoted by the Star.
He added: “Raila is like the camel that told a house owner to allow it to shelter only its head from the rains only to ask for his hump to be allowed in too.
After it was finally allowed, the entire camel came inside and the house crumbled. We do not want that to happen to Jubilee.”
Kieni MP, Kanini Kega who is an ally of the DP on Tuesday said they will not allow any amendments to the Constitutions aimed at creating auxiliary positions in government to accommodate antagonists.
“I know before 2022 we will be working on our Constitution. But that is not on the cards for now. Nobody should think that we are going to create positions for an individual,” he stated.
He maintained Jubilee’s earlier goal of passing on leadership to Ruto after Uhuru retires will see light of the day.
“Jubilee has a plan to pass the baton to Ruto. That plan will not be altered midstream. Ruto will definitely take the baton from Uhuru as has been the plan.”
Cheragany MP Joshua Kutuny said the pact between Uhuru and Raila has a possible effect on Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid.
“It is true that the pact has consequences for 2022. Raila could take advantage of this as a politician to reinvent himself,” he warned.
But even as the debate rages, Ruto has urged all stakeholders to support the efforts of the President and the opposition Chief in uniting Kenyans.
The DP while speaking in Njoro on Sunday said they started this path back in 2013 and “The dialogue should be on issues affecting the country” not about an individual or power sharing.
Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale insisted nothing has changed and Ruto is the man to take over from Uhuru.
“William Ruto is our 2022 utility player. We want to bring in more troops to insulate him from any political injury so that he can score both at home (Jubilee) and away (NASA),” said Duale dispelling fears that the Raila deal will not harm Ruto’s ambition.
“Raila’s coming was on our own terms and he will not in any way complicate our 2022 succession politics. His coming is a small thing when it comes to our succession politics,” said the Garissa Township MP as further quoted by the Star.