Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto 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.
The deputy president who was speaking at a whistle-stop rally in Isiolo County on Sunday, October 10, said he will seek a mandate from the voters who are the key determinants of who becomes the next Head of State.
“Unlike other presidential candidates, I will not go for an interview in Nairobi hotels. I will be interviewed by the common wananchi,” the deputy president said.
Ruto, who was speaking in reference to the recent meetings between Mt Kenya Foundation and ODM leader Raila Odinga as well as One Kenya Alliance principals, said it was foolish for a group of 100 billionaires to decide the political trajectory for millions of Kenyans against their wish.
The MKF group has already held interviews with ODM leader Raila Odinga as well as the One Kenya Alliance principals– Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Gideon Moi (kanu), and Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya).
DP Ruto, whose relationship with his boss has deteriorated beyond irredeemable levels, has been excluded from the team tasked with identifying President Uhuru’s finest successor.
He dismissed those who were engaging in boardroom interviews on the pretext that they are the ones with authority on matters of leadership, saying it’s Kenyans who have the final say on the governance of the country.
“As rich individuals continue to look for a leader who will protect their wealth after 2022, we are busy with the ordinary people looking for ways of creating wealth for them so that they can improve their lives,” said Ruto.
The former Agriculture Minister further pleaded with voters and Kenyans at large to vet presidential hopefuls and support one with a clear track record to accelerate economic growth.
