Deputy President William Ruto is in a major political storm courtesy of his allies, political commentator Macharia Gaitho has observed.
In the wake of renewed war against corruption which is being led by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Gaitho notes, the DP has found himself in an uncomfortable spotlight due to pronouncements made by some of his political comrades.
"If Mr Ruto takes a break from the perpetual campaign trail to examine why he’s the centre of so much attention, he will discover that his supposed friends are the ones pointing fingers in his direction every time corruption is mentioned," he said on Tuesday.
In his weekly column published by Daily Nation, Gaitho said some of Ruto’s allies were aware of their impending arrests over graft and they were seeking 'protection' by dragging DP's name, even in cases where he has not been mentioned.
"Every time they mention the name ‘Ruto’ in their self-serving intervention, they further drive the perception that the DP is the face of corruption in Kenya and leader of the forces in the government resisting the war on graft," he said.
Gaitho, who is also a veteran journalist, further accused a section of leaders allied to Tanga Tanga of doing deservice to Ruto by putting a wedge between him and his boss.
"Their increasingly rude attacks directed at President Kenyatta serve only to widen the gulf between the President and his deputy, making more certain the threat of an irreconcilable split," he said.
Gaitho further asked the DP to surround himself with sound advisers instead of sycophants who will let him walk straight to the fire.
"Mr Ruto will sooner or later learn the hard way that his foot soldiers and surrogates are wittingly or unwittingly working against him," he added.
Some of the DP's close allies who have been vocal against anti-corruption drive include Oscar Sudi, Kimani Ngunjiri, Kimani Ichung'wa, Ndindi Nyoro and Kipchumba Murkomen.