Former presidential candidate Martha Karua has come out to explain whether Deputy President William Ruto is eligible to vie for the presidency in the next general election.
The debate on Ruto's eligibility was sparked off by former Jubilee interim Vice Chairman David Murathe who argued that Ruto should be disqualified from the race to the State House in 2022 since he has served as Deputy President for two consecutive terms.
Speaking during a funeral service in Rarieda Constituency in Nyanza on Saturday, Murathe threatened to move to the Supreme Court to seek an interpretation on the DP's eligibility but maintained the law bars him from ascending to the presidency.
"Can the President sack the DP? Can he? So in essence, if he automatically becomes President without going for the mandate of the voter, it means he is still riding on the very first mandate they were given as a pair. Then that it is why he can’t run again," he said citing sections 142 and 148 of the Constitution.
However, Karua, a prominent lawyer and former magistrate, has poured cold water on Murathe's argument saying it holds no weight.
In a tweet on Tuesday, she explained there is nothing that bars Ruto from going for the top seat on grounds he has served as number two since 2013.
Karua was, however, quick to note that her opinion should not be interpreted that she was endorsing the DP to take over from Uhuru.
"Constitutionally a deputy president can vie for president despite having served for two terms as deputy. I, however, hasten to restate that I don't support the candidature of @WilliamsRuto," the NARC-Kenya party leader posted on Twitter.