From being linked to mega corruption scandals and vote rigging in the 2017 Jubilee Party primaries; Deputy President William Ruto is a man who has been in the eye of a storm.
It would be expected that at this point, such talks would cease but the opposite is happening – his name gets more prominent in corruption scandals.
Two days ago, he was dragged in the mega-scandal where Sh21 billion meant for construction of two dams in Rift Valley ended up in people’s pockets.
Some quarters have linked his office to the dubious deal that has sparked an uproar among Kenyans over spiralling corruption.
Be as it may, some pundits have come to his rescue, blaming political detractors for tarnishing his name.
According to blogger Albert Nyakundi Amenya alias the Banana Peddler, it is wrong to demonize the DP as has been the case.
“When a Kikuyu steals, they don't involve Uhuru. When a Luo steals, they don't mention Raila but when a Kalenjin steals, they connect the scandal with Ruto and demonize him,” he opines.
He adds “Are Kenyans brainwashed that Ruto is the only man who steals in this country as they keep suffering?”
Political analysts Prof Herman Manyora and Dr Onyango Ochieng Jnr concurred with Nyakundi that Ruto is just a casualty of political machinations.
“The thieves have formed an enterprise,” noted Ochieng.
Prof Manyora on his part said that “I will not say anyone is a thief whether it is Ruto, Mudavadi, Uhuru or Manyora; but I can say categorically that most property in this country is built on stolen public property.”
In July last year, the DP in an interview with a national TV station said that he was ready to reveal his net worth to Kenyans.
He was responding to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive to conduct a lifestyle audit on all civil servants.
Ruto at the time dismissed allegations that he owns a chain of hotels and several choppers which had continued to raise questions as to the source of his immense wealth.
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