Deputy President (DP) William Ruto has warned that the country risks sliding back into the dreaded single-party era if the opposition is not strengthened.
Dr Ruto blames the current “confusion” on lack of a working opposition created by the 2010 Constitution which failed to create official roles for poll losers.
But the DP does not believe a referendum is the best way to fix the opposition issue.
He said official positions should be created in Parliament to allow opposition figures take up their roles of checking the government.
“We don’t need a referendum to address the opposition challenge. It can be done through amendments,” said Mr Ruto.
ASSASSINATION PLOT
Once again, the DP refused to comment on the alleged plot to assassinate him.
According to a letter that authorities have since ascertained as fake, the plot to eliminate Mr Ruto was being hatched during development meetings for Mt Kenya region at La Mada Hotel.
DP Ruto, who was appearing as the first guest on K24 TV’s new political show Punchline, said he discussed the assassination plot with President Uhuru Kenyatta and the issue would not be prosecuted on media.
Despite his host Anne Kiguta’s repeated prodding to answer the question since his security is a matter of public interest, Mr Ruto said the matter is under investigation and would reveal nothing further.
“The matter that you have asked is a matter that I have discussed with my boss. And it is not for discussion outside me and my boss,” said Mr Ruto.
RUTO’S WEALTH
On the lingering question of his wealth, DP Ruto said he has always declared his assets and that those who wish to access the information must make an application as required by the law.
But he said, the reason he has not publicly stated his wealth is because many of those who are curious have malicious intentions.
Ruto dismissed as fake news reports that he owns chains of hotels, such as the Intercontinental, 680 Hotel and Hotel Boulevard.
In an hour-long interview with Ms Anne Kiguta, DP Ruto fielded wide a wide range of questions ranging from the alleged plot to assassinate him to food security.
JUBILEE SPLIT
Asked about Jubilee split into two groups, Kieleweke and Tanga Tanga movements, Mr Ruto blamed the perceived division on President Uhuru Kenyatta’s “hangers-on” busy pushing for their selfish interests.
“Some of the busybodies and hangers-on around these politics are engaged in the business of trying to run a narrative. And that corruption narrative is convenient. They have looked around and cannot find. They cannot say William Ruto is incompetent. They cannot say William Ruto doesn’t have ideas that William Ruto is not focussed. So, what is convenient? William Ruto is corrupt,” said Mr Ruto.
Despite the glaring split, Mr Ruto insisted that the party remains intact and will weather the challenges because it was founded to bring communities together.
Mr Ruto said President Kenyatta has not abandoned him, citing their long relationship stretching back 25 years ago and shared vision.
“The President Kenyatta I know speaks his mind and doesn’t need [Eric] Murathe to speak on his behalf. The hangers-on have their own interests and cannot say William Ruto is not focused and does not have ideas,” said the DP.
