"Not Uhuru," DP Ruto Speaks on Being Kicked Out of Jubilee Party
Deputy President William Ruto has trashed claims that President Kenyatta was trying to kick him out of Jubilee Party.
Ruto, through Twitter on Sunday, said Uhuru was not part of a scheme meant to oust him from the governing party, which they formed together ahead of the 2017 presidential election.
Instead, DP Ruto said the plot was being hatched by people he described as “political rejects, conmen and fraudsters.”
“The President & party leader of JP did NOT and CANNOT be party to any FRAUDULENT and ILLEGAL changes to officials of our party,” Ruto tweeted.
He added: “This is the works of political rejects, conmen & fraudsters who's party allegiance is already elsewhere. They should give us a break and leave JP alone.”
Ruto was reacting to a front-page story by Sunday Nation, which claimed that the DP was being edged out of the party he helped form. The daily insinuated that Uhuru has a hand in the plot to eject Ruto from JP.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta is attempting to wrest Jubilee Party from the grip of his deputy William Ruto by appointing new officials and reappointing an old ally,” the article reads in part.
On Friday, Ruto said he had written to the Registrar of Political Parties seeking to stop the proposed changes to Jubilee Party officials, terming it as fraudulent.
“As Kenyans are focused on the Covid-19 pandemic, some shadowy characters are attempting to FRAUDULENTLY institute ILLEGAL changes in officials of Jubilee party,” Ruto tweeted.
He added: “As deputy leader, I have alerted the registrar of the fraud. Party members should know that the matter is being handled.”
A gazette notice dated April 6th and signed by the Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu stated that Jubilee wanted to change the National Management Committee (NMC). Five names had been forwarded to replace current holders of the positions. They include Lucy Nyawira Macharia, Prof. Marete Marangu, Walter Nyambati, Jane Nampaso, and James Waweru.
In the gazette notice, Ms. Nderitu urged any Jubilee Party member who wishes to challenge the changes to do so within seven days.