MPs and Senators allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga have blasted Deputy President William Ruto over what they cited as disrespect to the Presidency. Speaking to the press on Wednesday, the leaders, who included Senators led by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala and MPs drawn from Jubilee, ODM, Ford Kenya, ANC and KANU and from all regions of Kenya said the DP has shown disregard to the office of the Presidency and other government institutions including the DCI and DPP. “We must admit with all honesty that of late the Deputy President has conducted himself in a manner which borders to disrespect to the Presidency…,” said Malala.
Lugari MP Savula noted that according to the 2010 constitution, the instruments of power were transferred to President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto doesn’t have that priviledge, “There is no co-president in this country, Ruto must respect the institution of the Presidency, respect the holder of the office or ship out.” His sentiments were echoed by Kieni MP Kanini Kega, who said when one is elected as the DP, he or she must support the President but DP Ruto has been doing the opposite, “From what we’ve seen with his pronouncements, his ways and the ways of those close to him, they haven’t walked the right paths.” He said if the DP doesn’t want to work with President Uhuru, he should step aside.
On her part, the Baringo woman representative Gladwell Cheruiyot said the DP has declared war on government institutions which are preachers of the constitution, “The Deputy Presidency is the highest second ranking member of the National Security Council which exercises supervisory control over national security organs. He is well placed to deal with questions or challenges that may arise concerning operations of security organs….the Deputy President should therefore be the last person to complain about government institutions in funerals, road side pronouncements with a loud megaphone, that can only undermine the authority and mandate of government institutions and may well constitute an offence against public order.”