Former Jubilee Party vice-chairman David Murathe is once again in the limelight following a controversial remark on national TV.
When hosted by veteran journalist Tony Gachoka during his Point Blank show which airs on KTN News on Wednesday, Murathe raised eyebrows when he said there was no guarantee that Deputy President William Ruto will be "around" during the next general election in 2022.
The former Gatanga MP was commenting on an alleged agreement that President Uhuru Kenyatta committed to supporting his deputy to succeed him upon retirement.
Gachoka: "People are in fear of the unknown if this arrangement between Kenyatta and Ruto doesn’t last to 2022."
Murathe responded: "That’s not correct. Who knows if William will be there in 2022?"
Former Kikuyu MP Paul Muite has termed the remarks as "careless", observing they may put the outspoken politician in trouble if Ruto dies before 2022.
In a tweet on Thursday, the senior counsel said the sentiments can be "misrepresented" and Murathe be held responsible in case of the DP's demise even if it is caused by natural causes.
"'Who knows if William will be there in 2022?'; careless talk by Murathe that can be misinterpreted were a natural calamity (God forbid) to take William before 2022," Muite posted.
The former Jubilee Party official, who is said to be a close ally of the President, has repeatedly vowed to ensure Ruto doesn't take over power.
He recently threatened to file a case at the Supreme Court to block the DP's candidature in the 2022 race to State House.