Outspoken Nyeri Town MP Wambugu Ngunjiri has sensationally claimed Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto hates rich Kikuyus and prefers their poor counterparts so he can manipulate them.
The legislator said the deputy president who has expressed ambitions to succeed retiring President Uhuru Kenyatta is so angry with Mount Kenya tycoons because his efforts to have them support his presidential candidature at a fee have failed to yield results.
“William Ruto hates rich Kikuyus because he can’t manipulate them with wheelbarrows or buy their loyalty with handouts,” Ngunjiri said.
Wambugu, an ardent defender of President Uhuru Kenyatta further urged the second in command to leave the Mt Kenya billionaires alone saying it has taken them a lot to be where they are.
He said attacking rich Kikuyus would in the end discourage the few who are working hard to accrue wealth.
“Someone tell William Ruto to leave rich Kikuyu men and women alone. It takes a lot to get there and every normal Kikuyu (I know) wants to get there,” he added.
Wambugu’s remarks come barely a day after the deputy president has said he will not appear before the Mount Kenya tycoons, a group tasked with finding a suitable successor for retiring President Uhuru Kenyatta even if he is invited.
“Unlike other presidential candidates, I will not go for an interview in Nairobi hotels. I will be interviewed by the common wananchi,” William Ruto said.
Ruto, whose relationship with President Uhuru has sunk so low, has been sidelined by the team tasked with identifying President Uhuru’s finest successor.
The Mount Kenya Foundation group has so far held interviews with Ona Kenya Alliance principals Musalia Mudavadi, Gideon Moi, Moses Wetangula, and Kalonzo Musyoka as well as ODM leader Raila Odinga.
