Uhuru Kenyatta: This is Why I Fell Out With President William Ruto

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has finally revealed the cause of his rift with his former deputy William Ruto. 

The reason behind their dramatic split has been a topic of speculation for years as the two were once seen as a political powerhouse. During a meeting with news editors on Monday, Uhuru explained that Ruto was insistent on the need to quash opposition leaders despite having won the election on a wave of popular support. Ruto’s stance was in response to opposition leader Raila Odinga’s rejection of the election results and subsequent legal challenge which led to the nullification of Kenyatta and Ruto’s victory and a re-run of the election. Odinga eventually withdrew from the race, citing concerns about fairness.

During his second and final term in office, Dr Ruto saw Mr Odinga as a political threat to his ambition of succeeding Mr Kenyatta. However, Mr Kenyatta gainsaid Ruto’s view, saying that the risk of dividing the country was greater than curtailing the progress of the ODM leader. Mr Kenyatta was making reference to the 2007 presidential election which resulted in violent protests and over 1,100 deaths. In the aftermath of the election violence, the International Criminal Court charged Mr Kenyatta, Dr Ruto, and others with crimes against humanity.

“I told him I had been to The Hague as a suspect and I didn’t want to go there for another four years again. I was clear that I wasn’t going to be arraigned at the International Criminal Court again for whatever reason. On hearing this, Dr Ruto went out and started his propaganda of abandonment.” said Mr Kenyatta. 

During the run-up to the 2013 General election, the National Alliance(TNA) and United Republican Alliance (URP) used their political messages to disparage the International Criminal Court (ICC) for unfairly targeting African leaders including themselves. They went on to win the election, and soon after, the ICC dropped the cases against them. During the interview, the former president expressed his reluctance to face any other legal action and disclosed that he had resisted Dr Ruto’s recommendation to crack down on opposition members.

Despite Dr Ruto’s objections, Mr Kenyatta went ahead and formed a peace agreement with Mr Odinga which led to the symbolic ‘Handshake’ at Harambee House in Nairobi. Dr Ruto has not openly discussed the cause of his disagreement with Mr Kenyatta but has hinted that the ‘Handshake’ may have played a part.

“Raila was a godsend,” he said yesterday, defending his ties with the man who had caused the nullification of his victory. “I don’t think I would have survived the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic had I been leading the country alone, as my deputy was working against me.” 

The Azimio coalition has accused President Ruto’s administration of embracing police brutality against its leadership and followers. However, the President has made it clear that he has no interest in suppressing the opposition and that law enforcement will only target criminal individuals, regardless of their political affiliation.