Corruption conference convened to discuss DP William Ruto- David Murathe claims

Corruption conference convened to discuss DP Ruto- Murathe claims

Mumbi Mutuko

January 31, 2019 8:45 AM

Murathe says he was surprised to see DP Ruto at the conference

Former Jubilee Party vice chairman David Murathe

Former Jubilee vice-chairman David Murathe claimed that the anti-corruption conference held last week was convened to discuss Deputy President William Ruto.

Murathe who resigned from his party position three weeks ago added that he was surprised to see the DP in attendance.

Former Jubilee Party vice chairman David Murathe Pulse Live Kenya

"I am glad that Mr Ruto has been put in his place and government work is now properly streamlined; so we'll no longer see him going around the country again in the guise of touring development projects," Mr Murathe said.

Law interpretation

He vowed to do anything in his capacity to stop Dr Ruto from succeeding President Kenyatta in 2022, including seeking a constitutional interpretation in court.

Mr Murathe argued there were legal entanglements in DP Ruto's candidature, adding he intends to seek an explanation from courts since the current law is ambiguous and open to various interpretations.

"If the legal basis for the DP's candidacy is that he's running for a different office from one he occupied in the two terms, then what stops President Kenyatta also contesting and serving as deputy president?" he posed.

Experts

He argued that any President can easily end up serving the country for more than two terms if his boss becomes incapacitated.

"There is no law barring President Kenyatta serving as deputy to another President, and the same law says the deputy president assumes office automatically his or her boss becomes incapacitated," he stated.

Deputy President William Ruto Pulse Live Kenya

Lawyers have welcomed Mr Murathe's plan to seek a constitutional review of the matter but said Dr Ruto is only prohibited by law to serve again as deputy president.

Experts have also noted that the law only suggests that a President would not be willing or tempted to go for a lower office after serving in the highest office in the land.

Mumbi Mutuko