Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has accused Deputy President William Ruto of a plot to stage a 'coup' in the Jubilee Party.
The vocal MP said the DP was usurping powers of party leader President Uhuru Kenyatta by declaring the governing outfit will hold grassroots elections next year.
Ngunjiri claimed Ruto's plan was to interfere with the polls and plant his supporters in crucial positions to help him get the party 2022 presidential ticket through dubious means.
“The DP is not the leader of the party or the spokesperson. He’s an interested person, so a lot of what he’s saying must be taken with a pinch of salt because he wants to try and manage the party so that it can give him an edge over any competitor who wants to run for president on Jubilee ticket," he said as quoted by the Nation.
Speaking during the requiem mass of the wife of former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Ruto said the ruling party will conduct grassroots polls in 2019 in its bid to enlarge its network countrywide.
“We are going to have grassroots elections next year to have men and women competent to manage the affairs of our party,” he said on Thursday.
He further said Jubilee will not give direct tickets to aspirants for all seats in the 2022 general election.
"We embrace democracy and respect the will of the people. We will all compete for different positions in the nominations. There will be no direct ticket in Jubilee Party in all the seats,” the DP said.