The relationship between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto has been a source of discussion and speculation with allies from either side taking on each other in public.Kenyatta has on several occasions expressed his annoyance with the warring factions in the Jubilee part,y urging the members to focus on his legacy projects.The head of state has however in recent engagements stayed mum on disquiet within the party ranks giving subtle hints on the situation.In an interview in France, Kenyatta avoided commenting on the tense relationship with his deputy. He declined to affirm that he would back Ruto in the 2022 presidential race despite reportedly promising him the same in 2013. President Uhuru Kenyatta in an interview with France 24 on Thursday 1 October 2020.YouTube 1. Stopping political ralliesFollowing chaos after Ruto’s visit to Kenol, Murang’a caused chaos as two lives were lost, the government after Ruto’s visit to Kenol, Murang’a caused chaos as two lives were lost.Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua on October 7, directed that all public meetings be held in compliance with the Public Order Act, with penalties imposed on culprits.”A convener or any person intending to hold meeting shall notify the officer in a commanding station three days to but not 14 days before the procession,” noted Kinyua.The DP later cancelled his visit to Nyamira County after the tour was marred by chaos.A day after the National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC) gave the recommendations, the cabinet unanimously endorsed and ratified the prescriptions and directives by the committee adding that they would commence immediately. Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua in his office.Twitter 2. Jubilee purge on Ruto alliesIn July 2020, the Jubilee party embarked on changes that saw a number of leaders allied to the Deputy President relegated to less powerful positions.Among those removed were Garissa Township MP Aden Duale from the Majority leader position in the national assembly, Senators Susan Kihika and Kipchumba Murkomen were ejected from Senate positions.The purge which was announced by Jubilee Sec-Gen Raphael Tuju was seen as a disciplinary measure against Ruto’s allies who had been warned against politicking. Deputy President William Ruto addresses Jubilee MPs at Party headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi on Thursday, October 1, 2020Facebook 3. Jubilee party wranglesAs a way to reign in the Deputy president’s influence at the party headquarters, Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju announced that Ruto had been banned from using the offices to operationalise his 2022 campaign.Tuju further stated that the party’s NMC had recommended to the National Executive Committee that the DP Ruto be suspended as the Deputy Party Leader after he opened the parallel Jubilee Asili offices. Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju addresses journalists at Jubilee Headquarters, Thika Road in 2019File Kenyatta chairs the National Executive Committee (NEC) which was asked to eject Ruto as the Deputy Party Leader.The request was made by the National Management Committee (NMC) after it accused Ruto of attempting to grab Party power and lead Jubilee in the absence of the President. 4. Uhuru inspecting projects himself using Cabinet SecretariesIn July 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered his Cabinet Secretaries to take over the inspection of government projects across the country.The Head of State had delegated the duty to his deputy in a speech where he gave life to the tanga tanga phrase.5. Making Matiang’i Super CSIn 2019, through Executive Order No 1 of 2019, President Kenyatta delegated powers to Interior CS Fred Matiang’i. With that, the CS was handed an expansive responsibility to chair and coordinate government development programmes and projects.The announcement drew mixed reactions with some of Deputy President William Ruto allies stating that it was a move to undermine the DP. Interior CS Fred Matiang’i addresses delegates at an AU summit in Nairobi on Tuesday, September 8, 2020File
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