Deputy President William Ruto messed by endorsing MacDonald Mariga for Kibra by-election, Prof Makau Mutua has said.
The DP vigorously campaigned across Kibra but his candidate eventually lost to Imran Okoth, who enjoyed the support of ODM leader Raila Odinga.
For days now, Dr Ruto has been accusing Odinga of instigating chaos in Kibra, a claim Mr Odinga and his ODM party have vehemently denied.
But Mutua now says Ruto's decision to field Mariga was an embarrassment to President Uhuru Kenyatta, given that Jubilee SG Raphael Tuju had opposed the plans.
"Only a fool doesn’t know that Mr. Kenyatta instructed his wing of Jubilee to openly campaign for Mr Okoth. But Mr Ruto, his precocious deputy, saw an opportunity to embarrass Mr. Kenyatta," said Mutua.
"That’s how, in spite of opposition from Jubilee’s Secretary General Raphael Tuju, Mr Ruto inserted – by hook but many believe by crook – Mr Mariga into the contest. Mr Ruto even managed to sneak Mr Mariga into State House whereupon Mr Kenyatta planted a Jubilee cap on his noggin. But that was the extent of Mr Kenyatta’s involvement in Mr Ruto’s dastardly scheme."
The US-based don insists that President Uhuru Kenyatta indirectly supported Imran Okoth through the Jubilee wing that was led by nominated MP Maina Kamanda.
On Friday, contrary to his deputy, Uhuru insisted that Kibra polls were peaceful, adding that many Jubilee supporters were able to vote without much antagonism.
“I never thought I would see a day we have peaceful campaigns in Kibra where people don’t lose property or lives. I saw a few people get stoned but they can speak for themselves. And even though our candidate lost, Kenyans, especially Mt Kenya people won,” he said.
He added: “There is a woman I know in Kibra who even campaigned for me when I was still in Kanu. They burned her stuff even in 2007, 2013 and twice in 2017. I called her this time and she told me that the campaign should have extended a bit so that she gets some more money.”