A day after Deputy President William Ruto claimed that Raila Odinga is determined to change him out of Jubilee, ODM leaders have hit back.
In Kisauni on Sunday, Ruto said that Raila's plan will backfire since 'they now understand him better'.
“The handshake is not a licence for you to bring confusion, propaganda and conmnaship into our party. If they have come to divide Jubilee and the government, we are telling them that we are alert and we know (what you are up to),” he said.
It was the first time the DP was criticizing the handshake between Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta, an issue that has rattled the ODM party.
Led by Junet Mohammed, they insisted that Ruto is looking for scapegoat to ditch Uhuru on the pretext of the handshake.
"It looks like he's on his way out. He's just looking for scapegoat. Signs are clear that he is prepared to go.
"To us, it's not news. He left KANU, UDF, URP and ODM so there is nothing strange. He just wants to go," said the Suna East MP.
Before joining ODM in 2006, Ruto was in the independence party with President Uhuru Kenyatta. In ODM, he differed with Raila Odinga in 2011 before partnering with Uhuru in 2013 polls.
Already, the DP has folded his URP, and is keen to run on Jubilee party in 2022 polls.
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho insisted that the ODM party is ready to 'deal' with Ruto when the right time comes.
"He is someone we are used to. These are signs of someone who has lost a battle. We shall handle him when the right time comes."
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