Jubilee Party wrangles took a new twist on Monday after a section of leaders from Nyamira warned President Uhuru Kenyatta against undermining Deputy President William Ruto.
Last week, Jubilee Vice Chair David Murathe, a close confidant of the president, dismissed Ruto's ambitions insisting that he's not an automatic party candidate in 2022.
But the leaders now want the president to come out open and back his deputy's ambitions as a sign of good will for the support he has offered in the last two elections.
"The President should stick to his deputy. Much of his success has come from Ruto and we must respect that. Undermining him amounts to betrayal which we will not accept as Jubilee leaders," said Rigoma MCA Benson Sironga.
On his part, nominated MCA George Mosiori urged the president to ignore part of his political advisory team which he believes is out to create acrimony between the two leaders.
Mosiori, who also doubles as Nyamira Assembly Minority Whip, said the president needs Ruto for him to cement his legacy which is embedded in the Big Four agenda.
"Those advising him are veering off the track. For Uhuru to succeed he needs Ruto and that is a fact. He can't cement his legacy by undermining the president."
On Monday during the New Year address, Uhuru insisted that his partnership with ODM leader Raila Odinga has helped his government stamp authority in fighting graft.
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