Calls for Tuju to step down from the position of Jubilee secretary general are misguided

Deputy President William Ruto’s allies have once again launched a scathing attack on Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju. In what is seen as a change of tack, the unveiled Inua Mama wing of Tangatanga is also piling pressure.

According to media reports, the women's lobby is led by Kandara MP Alice Wahome. The choice of Ms Wahome is strategic because it is meant to create the impression that Central Kenya is now shifting towards the DP. Reason?

President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is their kingpin, is serving his second and final term and therefore his name will not be on the ballot come 2022. I disagree. Uhuru will still retain his title of being de facto leader of Mount Kenya region. You can take this to the bank. I hail from this region and as of now we do not have a leader who can fit in Uhuru’s shoes. The DP's allies should, therefore, stop lying and misleading him (Ruto). They should tell him the truth that it is hard for him to make inroads in Mt Kenya without the blessing of the President.

Yes, a section of Ruto allies who hail from Central Kenya have been playing the card of propaganda and deceit. They claim that Uhuru has not initiated any development projects in Central and as such has abandoned his people. The residents are not fools. They can see the projects the President has commissioned. Again, they know Uhuru is President of the whole country. I remember when former President Mwai Kibaki was at the helm, he would affirm this position.

In latest attacks, the allies allege that Tuju is out to wreck Jubilee from within because he is "not supporting the DP’s 2022 presidential bid”. But their claims do not hold any water because we have never heard Tuju say that he is opposed to the DP. The DP’s allies’ ultimate goal is to weaken Uhuru’s grip on Jubilee and reduce him to a lame duck president. T

uju’s fidelity to the party constitution is beyond reproach. While discharging his mandate, he has also been working closely with the party leader, Uhuru. So, if he is forced out, this would clear the way for the DP and his troops to take full control of the party.

As secretary general, Tuju is required to respect, uphold and protect the party regulations. I am happy to note that Tuju has refused to succumb to blackmail and intimidation, and instead stood his ground. The letter and spirit of the party constitution must be followed without fail.