Devolution Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter has become the first Cabinet Secretary in Uhuru’s government to come out and confidently endorse Deputy President William Ruto’s presidential bid.
Speaking on Monday, 10, in Kericho Charles Keter vowed to support Ruto’s quest in succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta in the Coming General Election.
The former Belgut MP referred to the DP as the fifth President of Kenya amid wild applause from William Ruto’s supporters.
He said he has been close to the Deputy President since 2006 and he has always been ready to support him and ensure he clinches the presidential position.
“I take this opportunity to join you in welcoming our fifth President William Ruto. I thank you for everything. I have been with the DP from 2006 and I will stay with him till he becomes the president,” said Keter.
Recently, Foreign Affairs CAS Abaubu Namwamba who is also a member of Uhuru’s cabinet threw bis weight behind Ruto’s presidential bid, saying the DP is better placed to continue with President Uhuru’s development record.
This comes a few weeks after the allies of Ruto criticized a move by some cabinet secretaries who endorsed ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s presidential ambition.
The CS’s in question included Fred Matiang’i’ of the Interior Ministry, his counterpart in the ICT Ministry Joe Mucheru, and Agriculture CS Peter Munya as well as Eugene Wamalwa.
In October last year, the United Democratic Alliance wrote to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairman Wafula Chebukati, demanding that he warns Cabinet Secretaries against campaigning for any presidential aspirants.
The letter byUDA Secretary General, Veronica Maina said that cabinet secretaries should not be part of the process of campaigns.
Maina stated that when Cabinet secretaries openly declare their support Odinga, it is an interference with the electoral process.
The CSS, however, argued that the Constitution had not barred them from participating in the electoral process.
