Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has ruled out any possibilities of President Uhuru Kenyatta endorsing his deputy William Ruto as his successor in the 2022 general elections.
Uhuru who repeatedly promised to back the DP in the run-up to his 2013 and 2017 elections has since gone silent on the issue, but Malala is now claiming that he has had a change of heart.
The senator linked this to the apparently widening rift between the two lately, saying that Uhuru now prefers Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) boss Raila Odinga over his own deputy.
The close ally of Raila added that the DP appears to have lost Uhuru's admiration as was the case before, and his position beside the president taken by the former Prime Minister.
"Uhuru yuko na Raila. Mimi niko pale ndani na nikikuambia hivyo lazima uamini. Uhuru yuko na Raila, hii ingine ni sarakasi (Uhuru is with Raila. I am at the middle of it and you must believe me when I say so. Uhuru is with Raila, the other is a mere gymnastic)," Malala said during an interview on Milele FM's Kivumbi show on Wednesday morning, where he also said that latest happenings are proof of his opinions.
He observed that Raila has been receiving more privileges lately, including reception by local security apparatus in his engagements, while the DP has had the privilege scrapped off.
Malala cited Raila's recent tour of Kiambu county, where he was received by the county commissioner in full regalia, while the DP has been denied the same in his weekly tours.
"DP anapoenda functions anakuta hakuna county commissioner, state machineries zimekuwa withdrawn. Raila naye anaenda Kiambu anakuta commissioner in full regalia. Serikali iko upande wa Raila. (When the DP goes to functions he finds the county commissioner absent and state machinery withdrawn. Raila, on the other hand, went to Kiambu and met the county commissioner dressed in full regalia. The government is now on Raila's side)," he said.
Raila and Uhuru have been close since their 2018 truce, one that was not received very well by the DP and his quarters.