Deputy President William Ruto met with President Uhuru Kenyatta in Mombasa yesterday, a day after Mr Kenyatta appeared to transfer most Ruto’s powers and responsibilities to Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.
The meeting came against the backdrop of hue and cry from Dr Ruto’s allies, who, speaking in various forums around the country, demanded to know his role in the new Cabinet reporting structure announced by the President on Tuesday.
Details of Dr Ruto’s meeting with the President were scanty last evening as neither State House nor Dr Ruto’s communication team was willing to discuss the matter.
President Kenyatta hosted Dr Ruto for lunch after the meeting.
The duo was joined by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, his Senate counterpart Kenneth Lusaka, House Majority leaders Aden Duale (National Assembly) and Kipchumba Murkomen (Senate), Senate deputy Speaker Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka-Nithi), and Senate deputy majority whip Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a).
Also in the 1.30pm lunch at Barka Restaurant in Mombasa’s Old Town district — where the President ordered a plate of biryani, chicken tikka, chapati, mchicha, (amaranthus) and tamarind juice — were Jubilee Secretary-General Raphael Tuju, party chairman Nelson Dzuya, and Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji.
Mr Duale and Prof Kindiki said the morning meeting at State House Mombasa discussed the party’s legislative agenda for the next one year, but the presence of Mr Tuju betrayed another agenda: that of the health of Jubilee Party.
“We discussed our legislative agenda ahead of the resumption of the two Houses,” Prof Kindiki was quoted by the Nation Media. “We also discussed other issues touching on the party.”
Both Mr Duale and Prof Kindiki, however, refused to be drawn into discussions on what came of the deliberations about the Jubilee Party and the simmering disunity within, with Mr Duale saying it is Mr Tuju who should comment on party matters.