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TNA panics over DP Ruto prayer rallies
Majority leader Aden Duale with Nominated Senator Beatrice Elachi during a press conference where they said the ICC should terminate the Ruto, Sang case citing collusion. Photo/MONICAH MWANGI
FREE THEM: Politicians pray for DP William Ruto and Joshua arap Sang in Kuresoi on September 6, 2015. Photo/FILE
BY STAR REPORTER
September 12, 2015
Suspicion that Deputy President William Ruto could bolt from Jubilee and run for president in 2017 is creating anxiety in the ruling coalition.There is a feeling among TNA politicians that if Ruto's ICC case continues, he might challenge President Uhuru Kenyatta.If Ruto becomes president, they argue, there is a greater likelihood ICC charges would be withdrawn, as was the case with Uhuru.
Sitting presidents are also not required to appear for most ICC sessions.This fear has forced Jubilee politicians from Central Kenya to convene a prayer session for Ruto in Ruiru this weekend to been seen to be in solidarity with Ruto. It is to be the first of many rallies to demonstrate TNA support for the DP.
Yesterday Majority Leader Aden Duale told the Star the prayer rally would involve the entire Jubilee brigade.
"The meeting for Ruiru is still on and is for all of us in the Jubilee coalition," Duale said.
Rift Valley politicians have openly accused their TNA counterparts of abandoning Ruto after President Uhuru Kenyatta's case was withdrawn.The union of Uhuru and Ruto in the last election was considered a political marriage of convenience because both were facing ICC charges of orchestrating the 2008-08 post-election violence.
The pubic narrative by TNA politicians is that they are holding prayer rallies to 'cast out the spirits of those who want to divide Kenyans'. However, in private they express fear the Jubilee Coalition will be fractured.
"We cannot be seen not to be supporting his cause. Our brothers have accused the government of not doing enough. That is accusing the President directly. We cannot let that happen," a senior TNA politician, who was unwilling to be quoted, told the Star.
Though Ruto has insisted he would back Uhuru in 2017, some in his URP party want him to go for the top job.Some allies have openly said he should run for president to give him a better chance of fighting the ICC, as Uhuru did.Ruto's ICC trial on charges of crimes against humanity is at the mid-way point.
There is a perception the two teamed up ahead of the 2013 presidential race due to the ICC, despite being in rival camps in the 2007 elections.This has resulted in TNA politicians going on a charm offensive to show they support Ruto and 'share in his burden' at the ICC.
Last weekend's prayer rally in Kuresoi was to be an exclusive Kalenjin affair but TNA used Majority Leader Aden Duale to ensure their presence.
TNA panics over DP Ruto prayer rallies | The Star
Majority leader Aden Duale with Nominated Senator Beatrice Elachi during a press conference where they said the ICC should terminate the Ruto, Sang case citing collusion. Photo/MONICAH MWANGI
FREE THEM: Politicians pray for DP William Ruto and Joshua arap Sang in Kuresoi on September 6, 2015. Photo/FILE
BY STAR REPORTER
September 12, 2015
Suspicion that Deputy President William Ruto could bolt from Jubilee and run for president in 2017 is creating anxiety in the ruling coalition.There is a feeling among TNA politicians that if Ruto's ICC case continues, he might challenge President Uhuru Kenyatta.If Ruto becomes president, they argue, there is a greater likelihood ICC charges would be withdrawn, as was the case with Uhuru.
Sitting presidents are also not required to appear for most ICC sessions.This fear has forced Jubilee politicians from Central Kenya to convene a prayer session for Ruto in Ruiru this weekend to been seen to be in solidarity with Ruto. It is to be the first of many rallies to demonstrate TNA support for the DP.
Yesterday Majority Leader Aden Duale told the Star the prayer rally would involve the entire Jubilee brigade.
"The meeting for Ruiru is still on and is for all of us in the Jubilee coalition," Duale said.
Rift Valley politicians have openly accused their TNA counterparts of abandoning Ruto after President Uhuru Kenyatta's case was withdrawn.The union of Uhuru and Ruto in the last election was considered a political marriage of convenience because both were facing ICC charges of orchestrating the 2008-08 post-election violence.
The pubic narrative by TNA politicians is that they are holding prayer rallies to 'cast out the spirits of those who want to divide Kenyans'. However, in private they express fear the Jubilee Coalition will be fractured.
"We cannot be seen not to be supporting his cause. Our brothers have accused the government of not doing enough. That is accusing the President directly. We cannot let that happen," a senior TNA politician, who was unwilling to be quoted, told the Star.
Though Ruto has insisted he would back Uhuru in 2017, some in his URP party want him to go for the top job.Some allies have openly said he should run for president to give him a better chance of fighting the ICC, as Uhuru did.Ruto's ICC trial on charges of crimes against humanity is at the mid-way point.
There is a perception the two teamed up ahead of the 2013 presidential race due to the ICC, despite being in rival camps in the 2007 elections.This has resulted in TNA politicians going on a charm offensive to show they support Ruto and 'share in his burden' at the ICC.
Last weekend's prayer rally in Kuresoi was to be an exclusive Kalenjin affair but TNA used Majority Leader Aden Duale to ensure their presence.
TNA panics over DP Ruto prayer rallies | The Star