President Uhuru Kenyatta was at some point abandoned by several MPs when he needed them the most, Deputy President William Ruto has revealed.
After his defeat in 2002, President Kenyatta was set to issue a concession speech at Serana Hotel by congratulating former president Mwai Kibaki.
But before that, his team assembled at State House for final preparations before he addressed a media conference.
However, Ruto says, by the time they arrived at Serana, of the 50 MPs present at State House, only three would be seen.
"We were over 50 at State House but when we arrived at Serena, we were only three people. I was one of the three," Ruto said in an interview with NTV on Thursday.
“If there is respect and loyalty that can be displayed. There is no one who has displayed loyalty and respect to Uhuru than myself,” Ruto added.
The DP has been fighting claims that he doesn't respect President Uhuru Kenyatta as succession politics garner momentum.
A section of MPs led by Ben Momanyi of Borabu wants the law to be changed to allow the president to fire his deputy.
“We have agreed to address such emerging issues by handing the president powers to sack his deputy. You cannot openly fight your boss,” said Momanyi.