For the last 18 months, Deputy President William Ruto has been undoubtedly a man under siege with the political truce between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga being the point contention.
After nullification of Presidential polls and subsequent boycotting by Raila Odinga, political intolerance rocked the country. At least 30 people were killed by the police.
During the inauguration of President Uhuru Kenyatta at Kasarani for the second term, DP Ruto was one of the outstanding speakers, chosing his words carefully amid tension.
In his speech, Dr Ruto asked President Uhuru Kenyatta to build bridges, with the opposition, adding that he will support the President's unity agenda.
"Let me conclude by saying, going into the future, my friend Mr President, we will stand behind you, we will support you. As you build the foundation of the last five years.
"Building bridges across communities, building bridges of friendship, of unity, of brotherhood. And all of us, we must stand together to say no to hate," he said.
And few months later, Uhuru and Raila agreed to work together. The two formed a Building Bridges Initiative, whose recommendations are yet to be unveiled.
However, with a referendum to change the law and address a unitary government taking shape, Dr Ruto has now come out to be the strongest critic of the initiative, commonly refered to as handshake.
“This issue of ‘Punguza Mzigo’ and ‘Ongeza Mzigo’…let us drop it and work first,” said the DP in a recent rally at Meru.
“I want all Jubilee leaders to veer off from that agenda. The debate about 2022, and the referendum should not overshadow development.”
It remains unclear why the leader who first called shots on building the bridges could turn out to be the harshest critic. It's not clear also if he will oppose the impending referendum.
Dr Ruto already, is facing online criticism over his famous speech, some demanding to know why he could oppose unity between to former presidential candidates now working together.