Stop interfering with independent institutions, allow level playing ground, Ruto warns

President Uhuru Kenyatta with DP William Ruto during the 57th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi. [DPPS].

Deputy President William Ruto has warned against an alleged scheme to interfere with independent institutions to influence the 2022 elections.

In the remarks that appeared directed at President Uhuru Kenyatta over involvement of some Cabinet secretaries in election preparation, Dr Ruto said institutions should be allowed to discharge duties without influence.

Ruto said urged that independent institutions do not take instructions from political players to avoid compromising their integrity.

He said it would be betrayal of the country's forefathers if Kenyans allowed ethnic bigotry and personality cults to creep into the foundation of constitutionalism and rule of law.

Ruto spoke during the 58th Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi. "We need to build and secure institutions of governance that will secure and guarantee our future as a democratic and free society,” he said.

The DP said Kenyans deserved a nation built, not on a foundation of ethnicity, but on institutions, robust legislation, a performing Executive and an independent Judiciary.

In apparent reference to ODM leader Raila Odinga, who appears to be enjoying massive state support, Ruto called for an environment of equal opportunity. “It should not be about patronage and who you know should not determine how you succeed in our country. Institutions should be built to create an equal society,” he said.

Ruto seized the opportunity to popularise his hustler narrative: “We are determined to ensure that all the institutions are built to create an equal society where everyone can sing the national anthem and say… kila siku tuwe na shukrani tukijua kazi ni kazi."

The DP's camp recently protested involvement of Chief Justice Martha Koome in election preparedness as part of the Technical Working Committee.

They also criticised inclusion of Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and ICT's Joe Mucheru in the election preparations, claiming that could interfere with independence of the electoral commission with regard to the outcome of the 2022 polls.