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National Council of Churches of Kenya (L) General secretary Reverend Peter Karanja said Ruto (top right) will most likely face Raila or Gideon (centre) in the 2022 presidential race. Photo: TUKO. Source: UGC
DP Ruto’s 2022 presidency not guaranteed in light of handshake – Canon Peter Karanja warns
The man of God cautioned leaders especially from Rift Valley to tread carefully moving forward
He said the handshake should not be ignored as it’s likely to affect Ruto’s chances of becoming president – Karanja also pointed out Senator Gideon Moi, son of retired president Moi, cannot be counted out – The reverend’s warning came hours after Ruto heeded calls to suspend politics and focus on development – The DP was at loggerheads with opposition politicians and some Jubilee leaders over what was deemed as premature 2022 politics The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) General secretary Reverend Peter Karanja has warned leaders campaigning for Deputy President William Ruto to tread carefully because nobody can guarantee the DP will become the next president. The man of God also warned NCCK leaders and residents of Rift Valley to avoid taking extremely partisan position in the ongoing 2022 political realignments.
Speaking in Meru County on Sunday, July 1, Karanja argued there will be a few obstacles ahead for the deputy president and that it will not be easy for him to transcend to the presidency as some may think. Let’s protect the NCCK from taking a very partisan political position. There are a few dangers on the way,” Reverend Karanja cautioned.
The highly respected man of God cited the March 9, 2018 Harambee House handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga as a strong signal the 2022 presidential race will not be a smooth ride for DP Ruto. “The handshake appears to completely stand in the way of Ruto. If you love Ruto so much, reinterpret the handshake. And explore keenly what are its total ramifications. If Raila is re-engineering himself through the handshake, then he is likely to cause major havoc on Ruto’s game plan,” Karanja argued.
The NCCK leader added Ruto would also most likely face stiff competition from Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, son of retired president Daniel arap Moi, who had declared his interest in the top seat. “Another jogoo has emerged in Rift Valley called Gideon, who is very rich because he is part of the dynasties. And his father doesn’t like Ruto at all. Even when Ruto tried to visit, he was not allowed to see him,” Karanja said.
The NCCK leader added Ruto would also most likely face stiff competition from Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, son of retired president Daniel arap Moi, who had declared his interest in the top seat. “Another jogoo has emerged in Rift Valley called Gideon, who is very rich because he is part of the dynasties. And his father doesn’t like Ruto at all. Even when Ruto tried to visit, he was not allowed to see him,” Karanja said.
The reverend seemed to be in agreement with some of Jubilee party allied politicians who had also expressed fear over the Uhuru-Raila peace pact, claiming it was a plot to block Ruto from ascending to power. “We are aware that the reason Raila came to pacify with Uhuru is because they have a strategy on how to derail presidential ambition of William Ruto,” Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei sensationally claimed during a live TV interview on April 20. The DP has been criss-crossing the country in deliberate attempts to build his support base ahead of the 2022 political duel.
Ruto’s political activities have however put him at loggerheads with a section of Jubilee politicians and opposition leaders, including Raila, who feel it’s too early for 2022 politics. The DP, who was recently nicknamed “Yule jamaa wa kutangatanga (that guy who loves loitering)” by Uhuru, eventually called off the early campaigns. “We should not disturb the public with politics. It is time to focus on matters that make real change in the lives of Kenyans. Our energy is now directed towards delivering electricity, water and good infrastructure to Kenyans. We want to address the concerns of the people. Kenyans did their part by voting; it is our time to work,” the DP said on June 30. Read more: https://www.tuko.co.ke/
