Deputy President William Ruto’s name continues to hit headlines as the 2022 succession politics takes shape.
Dr Ruto is among top politicians who are eyeing to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
President Kenyatta is serving his last term in office and has been quoted saying that his choice for 2022 successor will shock Kenyans.
As the debate on who is fit to take over from Uhuru in 2022 continue, DP Ruto has found himself at the centre of the succession politics.
Ruto is banking on Uhuru to endorse him in 2022 but a section of Mt Kenya politicians argue that it is not a must for the president to support him (Ruto).
In the past four months, Ruto has been the discussion in regards to the 2022 election. He has often been branded as a ‘bad’ politician who should not ascend to power.
In December last year, former Jubilee Party vice-chairperson David Murathe started the debate by indicating that Ruto should retire alongside Uhuru in 2022.
The former Gatanga MP even threatened to go to the Supreme Court to block Ruto’s 2022 bid.
Murathe’s remark elicited reactions from Ruto’s camp who claimed that there are forces keen to block Ruto’s bid.
In March, Ruto’s name was again in the headlines in regard to the investigation into the Arror and Kimwarer dams’ scandal.
The Deputy President critics demanded him to write statements in regards to the alleged Sh21 billion dams, scandal. Ruto dismissed the critics who linked him to the dam’s scandal accusing them of malice.
On Saturday last week, COTU secretary general Francis Atwoli fueled the succession debate by claiming that Ruto name will not be on the presidential ballot in 2022 election.
Atwoli’s statement has been rebuked by Ruto’s allies who want him investigated.
Despite the political hurdles characterized by, alleged smear campaigns, propaganda and malice, the Deputy President has remained vibrant, strong and vocal.
Ruto has instead been calling on his critics to slow down and wait for 2022 to battle it out with him.
In all these instances, the Deputy President seems to be emerging out as victorious as his popularity continue to increase.
His critics could be unknowingly making him more popular as the battle for the 2022 election gets closer.
#hivisasaoriginal