Deputy President William Ruto’s camp is in a crisis with reports emerging that 6 vocal Tangatanga MPs have broken rank with the DP, forcing him demand that one of his events be postponed.
The disquiet and tension emerged after the vocal MPs skipped DP Ruto’s last Friday visit to Western Kenya where he launched Wanga Technical and Vocational Institute in Lubinu, Mumias East Constituency.
The glaring absence of MPs Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Mwambu Mabonga (Bumula), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West) and former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa sent tongues wagging and exposed the disquiet in the camp.
The DP was only received by a handful of MCA’s, his host Benjamin Washiali, Malava MP Malulu Injendi and his Sirisia counterpart John Waluke.
Standard reports that the MPs have broken ranks with DP Ruto’s camp over several issues, slowing his momentum as the race to 2022 heats up and returning him to the drawing board.
Issues dividing DP Ruto's camp
Some leaders allied to the DP have reportedly disagreed on who should be his point man in the region, Kibra by-election and the 2022 succession politics.
A source privy to the details told The Standard that the DP was fully in the picture and had even demanded that the event should be postponed.
“The DP had expressed reservations about the meeting after learning of the confusion, he wanted the leaders to thrash out their differences first,” revealed the source.
He was however convinced to honour the invite by Mr Washiali despite the discontent, arguing that postponing the event would have sent wrong signals to his Western Kenya support base.
Former Kakamega Senator Dr. Bonny Khalwale has been the defacto point man, actively supporting the DP on the ground as well as on social media and using every available opportunity to bash his opponents.
“The Deputy President was in the picture of everything that was happening; he understands why some of the MPs skipped the event,” added the source.