Elders drawn from the expansive Rift Valley region have warned that the continued feud pitting Kenya African National Union (KANU) leaders and Deputy President William Ruto could hurt President Uhuru Kenyatta’s bid for second term in office.
Led by the Rift Valley Council of Elders Chairman Gilbert Kabage, the elders cautioned that the supremacy wars between the two factions risks sinking President Uhuru’s boat.
“The infighting between Kanu leaders and the Deputy President is not healthy. It might hurt Jubilee Party’s efforts to marshal support for the Head of State,” warned Kabage.
The Council’s Secretary, Peter Charagu, called on the two groups of leaders to work together for the common good, saying that their fighting could confuse voters, leading o apathy in the ruling party’s strongholds. “Kanu leaders should work with other Jubilee leaders and shelve their differences for now. How can they claim to be in a government yet they have differences with Ruto who is part of that government?” wondered Charagu.
This comes after Kanu leaders have asked for a meeting with President Kenyatta to tame Ruto, whom they have accused to disrespecting other Rift Valley leaders. KANU leaders, led by Chairman Gideon Moi, have threatened to withdraw their support for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election.
“We know the two leaders are harboring ambitions of running for presidency in 2022. But they should shelf the ambitions for now and focus on drumming support for President Uhuru Kenyatta,” noted Kabage, referring to the in-fighting between Gideon Moi and William Ruto.
