Does William Ruto have anything to fear within Jubilee Party?
The ruling Jubilee Party ha become the center of attention over the last few days after its party officials seems to indicate that the Deputy President, who is also the deputy Party leader would not have an automatic ticket to Presidency.
Secretary General Raphael Tuju explained to a local television station that the Deputy President William Ruto is not the party’s automatic choice to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022. Tuju insists the choice of candidate is governed by the party’s constitution which makes no mention of an automatic presidential ticket as postulated by DP Ruto’s allies.
“We have a president who is the party leader and we have a deputy President who is the deputy party leader… So that line -up is there, but we also have a constitution indicating how we appoint our candidate for a presidential candidacy and as far as I am concerned nothing has changed,” said Tuju in an interview with Citizen TV.
Tuju, believed to be President Uhuru’s close ally could further rock the ruling party in the wake of a brewing storm sparked by its vice chairman David Murathe who insisted and spoke openly that there was no MoU with anyone.
Tuju is right. Even UK went through the nomination formality at JP. JP is a Democratic Party. Daktari will win the ‘nomination’. The opposition and media are falling for mind games.
— Eric Kiragu Gachiri (@EricGachiri) December 31, 2018
In run-up to the 2013 and 2017 elections, President Kenyatta publicly gave an indication of the Jubilee coalition’s succession plan and boldly pin-pointed Ruto as his anointed successor. Recently, the party d Chair was caught on camera saying that there was no agreement with anyone – interpreted to mean William Ruto for an automatic support in 2022.
This attracted comments from various party officials.
Please acquaint yourself with the party constitution. Article 33 (5) on the transition clause. Tuju retires in 2020. The operative word is "shall". Unless you want to amend the party constitution. Mine,… You can have on a silver platter even tomorrow. Join the rabid attack dogs
— Wakairu Gatuhi murathe (@WakairuG) December 29, 2018