Exiled controversial lawyer Miguna Miguna (pictured) has spoken out about President Uhuru Kenyatta’s inner circle reported unease with his deputy William Ruto, as well as Raila Odinga’s plot to counter Moses Wetang’ula and Musalia Mudavadi.
The accounts in his new book offer a glimpse into the fierce 2022 succession politics that have taken a new dimension after Uhuru’s deal with Raila, which is viewed with suspicion by Ruto.
Miguna quotes conversations with Uhuru’s close advisers in which he claims that Uhuru has ‘mortal fear of Ruto and alleges a scheme to push out the DP in the middle of Uhuru’s second term as a casualty in the war against corruption.
In excerpts from his new book – Treason: The Case Against Tyrants and Renegades, the boisterous lawyer claims there is determination by powerful individuals – allegedly enjoying tacit support and blessings of Uhuru – to block Ruto from ascending to power.
The accounts come on the backdrop of current jitters within the ruling coalition by MPs and leaders allied to Ruto.Miguna alleges a scheme to ‘weaponise’ the war against corruption, ensnare Ruto and his close allies in government, before ultimately bundling him out as Uhuru’s deputy.
“During the Serena Hotel meeting, I also disclosed to Raila that Uhuru Kenyatta’s inner core….I told Raila that Uhuru planned to kick out Ruto from Jubilee and government towards the end of their tenure. Their scheme was to fight Ruto at two fronts,” says Miguna.
He alleges the first scheme was to ‘choreograph a fake fight against corruption’.
“The idea was to weaponise the fight against corruption and use it to undermine, sabotage and attempt to destroy their perceived, or real, political enemies, including Ruto, before removing him (Ruto) as Uhuru’s DP.
“Uhuru’s senior political advisers were determined to stop Ruto from becoming President. They were doing all that with Uhuru’s tacit support. Wanjigi, too, had shared with me stories of Uhuru’s mortal fear of Ruto – quite literally,” says Miguna.
Although businessman Jimi Wanjigi has since fallen out with Uhuru and Ruto, he was in the inner circle of the duo in the run up to the 2013 polls and at one point disclosed how he hosted both leaders at his Muthaiga home.
Former Jubilee vice-chairperson and Uhuru close ally, David Murathe, has since come out publicly and vowed to do everything to block Ruto from succeeding Uhuru after his term ends in 2022.He consequently resigned from the party position so as to assemble a ‘Stop Ruto Movement’ in his quest to ensure Ruto does not become president.