‘Huyu Kabogo ni mchokozi’, Ruto tells Uhuru

Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday, August 24, refuted claims that he is going around the country drumming up support for his 2022 presidential bid at the expense of implementing the Jubilee development agenda.

The DP said certain politicians, such as former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, are making false accusations against him in a bid to spark a disagreement between him (Ruto) and President Kenyatta.

Mr Ruto says Mr Kabogo is one of the politicians, who has directly told the president that he (Ruto) is on a serious early campaign mission.

“Your Excellency, Kabogo is your friend. He is also my friend. Ila, wakati mwingine yeye huwa ni mchokozi. Anakuja kukuambia kuwa mimi nafanya siasa (Sometimes, he targets me unfairly. He comes to you [Uhuru] and tells you that I am engaging in perennial politics). That is not true,” Mr Ruto said at the burial ceremony of the Late Kikuyu musician John Mwangi, alias De’Mathew, in Gatanga, Murang’a County. Kabogo was present at the event, and could be seen laughing at the DP’s remarks.

“I remember after we won the 2017 race for presidency, I was sworn in as President Kenyatta’s principal assistant. What that means is that if anything goes wrong under the Jubilee leadership, then I would be the first Jubilee member to receive fire. That explains why I am going around the country to ensure all the development promises we made in the run-up to the two general elections in 2013 and 2017 are fulfilled. I have no reason to engage in petty politics. I am not jobless like those other people,” said Mr Ruto.

“And, I would like to state categorically today that all politicians affiliated to our party, Jubilee, who will engage in politics, will be dealt with,” said the deputy president.

The DP’s remarks come on the back of deep divisions within the ruling Party, with one faction rooting for President Kenyatta’s legacy agenda, whereas the other section is perceived to be oiling Ruto’s 2022 presidential machinery.

In his speech, President Kenyatta said he has no other office in the 2022 polls that he has set his sights on, therefore, he sees no need to “protect influential cartels, who have looted this country senseless”.

The president, in his speech, steered clear of politics, instead, focusing on what his Government is intending to do to ensure that artistes’ welfare is taken care of.

“We recently heard complaints from a section of musicians in Kenya that the royalties they received from MCSK were meagre compared to the efforts they have invested in their careers. Today, I would like to say that the music copyright board will be moved from the AG’s office to the Ministry of ICT, where it will be easy to monitor it,” said the president.

Musician John De’Mathew died in a grisly road accident in Thika, Kiambu County last Sunday, August 18.