The Ruto Rebellion that is Growing Thick and Fast Compared to the Maji Maji Rebellion

Deputy President William Ruto is a man on a mission to finally ascend to the country’s top most seat. He has put in a lot of work just so that he realize’s his dreams of leading the nation.

The DP has transversed various parts of the country that include opposition strongholds all with an aim of promoting his Presidential agenda while in the process launching development projects.

But he seems to have left many things unattended in his Rift Valley backyard, an oversight that has led to growing acrimony by MPs from the region.

The DP’s ally-turned-foe, Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny, is leading the pack of rebels which includes Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and his Moiben counterpart Silas Tiren.

The trio last week did the unthinkable in the region by publicly calling on the DP to explain his role in the maize scandal where briefcase companies and well-connected businessmen are alleged to have been paid millions of shillings by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) at the expense of ordinary farmers.

Furthermore, Mr Ruto has not addressed the highly emotive issue of the eviction of more than 9,000 families settled along the Maasai Mau Forest, with another 40,000 families lined up for eviction in the second phase of the exercise.

Poor tea and milk prices, decrepit road infrastructure, perceived skewed appointment to top government jobs, and lack of political unity are some of the issues playing against the DP in his backyard.

Mr Micah Kigen, an ODM politician, said: “The DP is his own enemy and he should not blame others for the woes he is grappling with. His arrogance, know it all and vindictive character, coupled with isolationist politics, have alienated him from his core supporters,”

In what has been seen as an attempt to turn the tide around, the DP has sought the backing of Mr Ruto and recently dispatched four governors and his aide, Farouk Kibet, to the CCM leader’s home in Chepalungu.

In a rare incident that kept tongues’ wagging, Mr Ruto at one time publicly stated in a fit of anger that Mr Kutuny was leading a group of well-connected politicians in the corridors of power who were undermining him with a view to blocking him from succeeding President Kenyatta at State House.

“I am a junior officer at the Presidency and Mr Ruto is my boss. I have no powers to undermine him since I work under the Presidency,” was Mr Kutuny’s response at the time.

Mr Kutuny told NTV on Tuesday: “We have evidence that one of Mr Ruto’s companies has been implicated in the maize scandal and is among the 60 companies under investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.”

He challenged the DP to come out in the open and state his relation with the company that has allegedly received millions of shillings from NCPB.

Mr Ruto has not commented on the claims but a section of Rift Valley MPs, led by Soy legislator Caleb Kositany and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot defended him, accusing their colleagues of “engaging in mercenary tactics to bring the DP down.”

Will Ruto survive this onslaught from his own backyard?

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