Isaac Ruto speaks on joining Uhuru’s government

Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has for the first time addressed earlier reports that he was set to join President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

Speaking on Tuesday morning when he appeared on a local TV, Ruto argued that he was open for a conversation that would see him work, for the benefit of Kenya, urging anyone who has any role in which he could participate in to come out.

The former Governor maintained that he was open for opportunities which would make him productive in the country, adding that his initial thinking of the need to dialogue on issues would not be distracted.

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“I am a politician and need a political party, unless we are in talks to merge parties. There is a no such a talk currently. But what do you want me to do? Apply for a job to be a PS or do what?

“I would like to contribute to the development of this country. We can discuss any role anyone would think I could participate in. I wouldn't mind participating on positive developments for this country. But that doesn’t necessarily change my initial thinking,” he said in response to a question about him joining the government as a public servant.

Advice to DP Ruto

Mr Ruto also offered a rather rare advice to DP Ruto and his political enemies over the recent verbal squabbles.

The former Council of Governors Chairman told Ruto and a section of ODM leaders not to get personal with their differences over 2022 succession politics.

“What they are saying should have been done last year. I don’t think Kenyans want to know what they are saying or doing. It is time to get to work so that we can full get into politics after even three years.

“The Opposition should be vigilant to get the Jubilee working. That’s what they should be doing. I don’t think they should run around talking about each other or about that guy or that man in the Government. Talking about individuals doesn’t help Kenyans, let them talk about issues,” Mr Ruto said in a TV interview Tuesday morning.

DP Ruto attacked

On Monday, Deputy President William Ruto was on the firing line of opposition leader Raila Odinga’s lieutenants, who told him off for criticising the Building Bridges initiative between Mr Odinga and Kenyatta, and also for warning that Mr Odinga is a dictator who is not fit to lead the country.

Mr Ruto made the hard-hitting claims on Sunday in Nandi County, and on Monday Mr Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement dismissed the Deputy President as a leader who thrives in politics of lies, commotion, hate, and division, and also asked him to come clean on the “smell of corruption that permanently swirls around him”.

In Nairobi, four MPs accused Mr Ruto of blackmailing President Kenyatta and holding the country hostage in his bid to lead the country in 2022, while in Nakuru Jubilee-allied leaders rose to defend the Deputy President.