Details have emerged on a secret meeting between Deputy President William Ruto and a section of Mt Kenya leaders, days before Senator Kithure Kindiki was ousted as Senate Deputy Speaker have surfaced.
The DP reportedly met 12 Meru MPs led by area Senator Mithika Linturi at his Karen, Nairobi residence to offer them insight on his approach in his ongoing cold war with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
A report by The Standard on Tuesday, May 26, detailed that Ruto asked the legislators to remain calm and avoid confrontation with Kenyatta’s camp, further asking them to retreat from the war.
Linturi, who staunchly defended Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki from being ousted as Senate Deputy Speaker, on Friday, May 22, urged the DP to allow them to declare their support for him.
“Linturi largely referred to the promise to Mt Kenya East (Meru, Embu, Tharaka Nithi) by their western cousins that the future DP under a Ruto presidency should be from this area,” one MP disclosed.
Kindiki was seen as the DP’s running mate in 2022, and the Senate position was meant to be used to polish him and make his name. However, the turn of events forced Ruto back to the drawing board.
“Don’t waste your time opposing the changes because the President is the National and Party leader. It is his government and he should be allowed to drive it the way he aspires,” another MP quoted the DP.
Among those who attended were Imenti South MP Kathuri Murungi and Nominated Woman Representative Halima Mucheke.
“The idea was to know the DP’s feelings about the purge being conducted against his allies and how he wished us to react,” one of the MPs confirmed.
Three MPs allied to Kenyatta, John Mwirigi (Igembe South), Rahim Dawood (Imenti North) and Maoka Maore (Igembe North) were not invited.
MPs who attended further alluded that the DP seemingly appeared to have given up the fight as he looked at alternative strategies he could explore.
Some of his allies have also shifted allegiance, betraying him in favour of supporting Kenyatta. This has largely affected his sway in Parliament.
