A war of words between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto, former ally turned political foe and the latter’s brigade escalated after the president dismissed assassination claims as political noise.
In an apparent attack to his deputy, president Kenyatta said he has not time to pursue or harm anybody.
Instead, he urged them to sell their agenda to Kenyans since all Kenyans including him have the right to campaign and vote any candidate of his or her choice.
“There is no need of telling people that I want to kill you, haven’t you insulted me for three years has anyone touched you. Have I not been in government in the three years, I had all the powers? Now when am handing over the government when I have no powers is when I have time to look for you?”
There is no need for insults and when I answer you lies do not tell people I want to kill you…. Sell your agenda and stories and leave me alone. I will do my job and complete it. You go and ask the electorate for votes, if they elect you that’s fine and if not, we will go home together> President Kenyatta said in an apparent reference to his disgruntled deputy.
He spoke today while commissioning the Nairobi Expressway and the revamped Nairobi Eastern Bypass from a single two-lane road to a dual four-lane carriageway at a cost at a cost of Sh88billion and Sh12.5 billion respectively.
He condemned angry traits portrayed by some political leaders, which has resulted in the hurling of insults, and bitter exchanges marred by unprintable words.
Uhuru’s rebuttal to Ruto came days after the Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate accused the president of issuing threats.
Speaking in Kapsabet in Nadi County, Ruto said the president had held a private meeting during which he threatened him and his allies.
“I want to ask Mr President, please, you should not be the source of threats in Kenya. Stop threatening Kenyans, your work is making sure all Kenyans are united. Stop saying, we will know you are the president, we are the ones who elected you to the presidency. Stop threatening us. We cannot be threatened. With a lot of respect be a decent human being, we are the ones who helped you so stop pretending now, you have started threatening me but as long as you don’t kill my children, let us respect each other.” Ruto said.
Yesterday, Ruto’s running mate Rigathi Gachagua, while campaigning in Nyeri, claimed that the president had threatened him.
“In the next eight days, come to Sagana and pack your belongings and go home. You [president] called elders meeting and said I will know you are the president,”
“I helped you for 20 years. I got you from the bar and now you are threatening me. Please, don’t kill us like your dad [Mzee Jomo Kenyatta] killed JM Kariuki. If you so wish, then kill us this week,” Gachagua alleged.
President Kenyatta officially opened the 27.8 km Nairobi Eastern Bypass Road which was expanded from a single 2-lane road to a dual 4-lane carriageway at a cost of Sh12.5 billion.