DP William Ruto allies turn heat on Uhuru over calls to resign

President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) elbow greets Deputy President William Ruto during the 18th Annual National Prayer Breakfast at the Parliament buildings, Nairobi. This year's prayer breakfast was limited to few invited guests due to the Covid - 19 pandemic. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

MPs allied to Deputy President William Ruto have castigated President Uhuru Kenyatta for challenging the DP to resign if he is unhappy.

The MPs challenged the president to instead quit, and accused him of isolating his deputy only to fault him for their fallout.

Speaking during an interview with senior editors at State House Nairobi, on Monday, the Head of State criticised his deputy for opposing a government he is part of, saying he was confusing the electorate. 

"It would be an honourable thing that if you are not happy with it (government), step aside and take your agenda to the people. That is what happens in a democracy, you cannot ride on what we have done and talk a different language on the side," said Uhuru.

Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki said Uhuru can only have a basis for asking Ruto to resign if he (President) resolves to revamp Jubilee and abandon his quest to aid ODM and One Kenya Alliance (OKA) leaders to take over government in next year’s polls.

“It is true that in a democracy, one may opt to voluntarily resign from a government he disagrees with. Equally true is that in a democracy, the government does not destroy the governing party only to join the opposition to promote and market opposition agenda," said Prof Kindiki.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, said the president had been misadvised to believe Ruto was his appointee yet he was elected by the people.

Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika defended Rut, saying he is in government by virtue of being elected by voters.

Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri concurred saying: “First of all we elected both of you. Vunja bunge, kila mtu aingie ground (Disband Parliament so everyone can go and seek fresh mandate). This chest-thumping is unwarranted. When Jubilee Party vice chair David Murathe and the team started chasing Ruto from Jubilee where did you expect him to go? It's too late to "try" and speak now.”

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wa maintained they won't allow Ruto to quit. 

But Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu urged Ruto to heed President Kenyatta’s call and resign. He said Uhuru has been patient despite the DP undermining him publicly.