4 instances where Uhuru, Ruto have engaged in public spat
On Saturday, July 2, President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto were yet again engaged in bitter exchanges that have become common with them since 2019.
In an apparent reference to his deputy, the President accused Ruto of abdicating his duties and giving Kenyans new promises and yet he did not fulfil what he had promised them in 2017.
“This person has been given a job, but instead of performing it, he is all talk. Why didn’t he do the very things he is complaining about?” Kenyatta said.
Ruto, who was on a campaign trail in Tharaka Nithi, responded to the President saying he did not need his vote and that he should leave him (Ruto) to compete with Raila Odinga, the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya presidential candidate.
"Si munisaidie tuambie Uhuru Kenyatta awache nishindane na bwana Kitendawili. Ama niaje, si aniwachie nipambane na Raila?
"Na mimi sijamuambia Uhuru Kenyatta anisupport, wacha akae kando. I am good enough. Huyu kitendawili nitamumalizia asubhi na mapema," Ruto said.
The Saturday public spat was not the first time the two senior-most leaders in the country have engaged in.
Uhuru accuses Ruto of absconding duty
On May 1, 2022, during the Labour Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium, President Uhuru accused his deputy of doing nothing to help in addressing the rising cost of living.
"Instead of some leaders strategising on how to offer solutions, they go to incite citizens to ask Uhuru. Am I in Ukraine? Did I bring Covid into the country? Instead of coming to help me with advice to help our people, you are in the market with insults," angry Uhuru said.
In a quick rejoinder, Ruto said he was not to blame for what the country was experiencing, accusing the President of receiving wrong advice from his "new friends".
"I feel your pain. Those you assigned my responsibilities and 'project' mzee have let you down miserably.
"They bungled our BIG4, killed our party, and wasted your second term. Boss, I'm available. Just a phone call away. Sadly, the last cabinet was two years ago," Ruto told the President.
Uhuru accuses Ruto of spreading lies
On February 7, 2022, during the launch of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Conference in Mombasa, the President accused Ruto of spreading lies and failing to attend to his duties as deputy president.
"We have seen those who are just saying they did this and at the same time claiming that the government has done nothing. Work is not done on top of cars, it is done in offices and hospitals.
"The nurse does not peddle lies but goes to wards and theatres. In this Kenya, we see a lot," Uhuru stated.
On February 8, Ruto responded to Uhuru saying he had performed all duties the President assigned him to perform.
"You make theories in offices and you implement the plan sometimes on top of cars.
"I have been in government long enough to understand that policies and theoretical works are done in offices but implemented on the ground that sometimes entails doing so from the car tops," Ruto said.
Uhuru questions Ruto's source of funds
On February 23, 2022, President Uhuru questioned the source of money that his deputy has been contributing to churches.
Speaking at Sagana State Lodge where he met with the leaders from the Mt Kenya region, Uhuru warned religious leaders against receiving the monies terming them as proceeds of corruption.
"Church leaders should stop lying to Kenyans because they have received stolen money that was meant to construct the Arror and Kimwarer dams," he said in his native Gikuyu language.
During the meeting, the President asked the Mount Kenya electorate to support Raila Odinga for the presidency.
“According to where we have come from, where we are and where we are headed, I want to ask you to hold the hand of the old man (Raila) and support him. The other young man still has time and we can support him in the future,” Uhuru said.
Uhuru's remarks did not sit well with the DP.
"I voted for Uhuru. I campaigned for him and Odinga has never voted or campaigned for President Kenyatta, but I am okay with his decision to support that one person that has never voted for him.
"However, Odinga should remember that I am not competing with Uhuru. Let him come out and face me and stop hiding behind the President," Ruto said during a political rally in Kitui on February 24, 2022.
