Concerns as President Uhuru Kenyatta overrules his deputy William Ruto

Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto has often found himself in an awkward position when the President has openly contradicted his public statements on weighty issues. Sometimes, it is because Mr Ruto has been quick to react to an issue; the most recent one being his aggressive rebuff of demands by the Opposition coalition for national dialogue.

The DP immediately rejected demands that the pressing issues of insecurity, corruption and high cost of living be addressed through a conference between Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD), the Jubilee Alliance and other stakeholders.   

“We will not give in to demands from CORD politicians to enter into dialogue,” was the DP’s uncompromising statement on the same day CORD leaders called for the crisis talks. “The Government is determined to deliver on the promises it made to Kenyans before the last General Election,” Ruto said.

But the following day, on June 1, President Uhuru Kenyatta appeared to open the door for talks with CORD when he led the nation in celebrating Madaraka Day at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi.

“We welcome the talks if they are ready, that is what I have wanted and we have planned for long, let them come we dialogue,” said President Kenyatta.

 Changed mind

The President has, however, since changed his publicly stated position and now wants CORD to channel its demands for dialogue through Parliament.

This was not the first time Ruto found himself blind-sided by the President. Only last month, similar contradictions emerged after President Kenyatta ordered payment of Sh1.4 billion for two Anglo Leasing claims. A few days earlier, Ruto had vowed that the Government would not pay a penny unless Parliament approved the settlement. Ruto was categorical that the Government was not ready to settle the Anglo Leasing cases. “Not a single cent has been paid or will be paid,” declared Ruto.

However, President Kenyatta ordered the payment, with his advisors explaining that the Government had been ordered to pay two foreign firms by a Geneva court. In another incident last year, the Head of State signed into law the controversial Media Council of Kenya Bill a week after the DP had assured the African Media Leaders Forum in Addis Abba that the retrogressive amendments contained in the Bill would be rejected.

Ruto had told senior editors and media owners that the President would refer the controversial Media Council Bill back to Parliament so that the controversial clauses to the proposed law could be struck down. 

“We admit that the Bill is contentious and discussions are underway between stakeholders to resolve the contentious issues,” Ruto had told the forum.

But President Kenyatta later appended his signature to the Bill ushering into law the Media Council Act 2013 that would impose heavy fines on media houses and journalists who fall afoul of its provisions.

But contradictions between the President and his deputy had started much earlier. Few will recall that a year ago, the Deputy President told eager Kenyans that no politician would be appointed to the Cabinet.

Jubilee cabinet

Days later, President Kenyatta – with the DP by his side – unveiled 18 Cabinet Secretaries that included some seasoned politicians among them Charity Ngilu (Ministry of Lands), Najib Balala (Mining) and Kazungu Kambi (Labour) — all who had served in the 10th Parliament.

Whether or not they are deliberate, these contradictions have puzzled some URP legislators like Alfred Keter who do not rule out a scheme to embarrass the DP. Keter has warned the DP to tread carefully as he executes his duties.

However, Kiambu Senator Paul Wamatangi does not believe these miscommunication cues amount to a disconnect between the two. He says the misunderstanding over the National Dialogue debate was because the President spoke with brevity while his deputy expounded on the issue why Jubilee would not accede to CORD’s demands. “While the President was brief, Ruto captured the point, and that is why we later agreed we would not accept demands from CORD. We knew they were hoping to create an impression only they had solutions to our problems and therefore wanted to force the Jubilee regime to listen to their lecture on these issues,” says Wamatangi. But   outspoken Kuresoi MP Zakayo Cheruiyot says the ebullient nature of the two politicians would mean they are more outspoken on controversial issues.

Nevertheless, says Cheruiyot, Ruto has emerged more subdued than before; a reference to the common public display of camaraderie between the President and his deputy a year ago.

Kajiado West MP Moses ole Sakuda admits t there can be a difference of views between strong leaders. “Indeed there are a few differences of opinions but they are not significant enough to shake the government. As individuals they must not agree on everything— the two have different minds and backgrounds,” says Sakuda.

He says Ruto was proved to be spot on when Jubilee later climbed down and asked CORD to use existing legal structures for dialogue.

On Friday, Nandi Keter appealed to Ruto to tone down political rhetoric, sentiments shared by Prof Edward Kisiangani, a political analyst. Prof Kisiangani added as a smart politician Ruto would want to limit others’ access to the President.

“My take is that the Deputy President would not want senior politicians in the Opposition have unfettered access to the President because that could diminish his influence.”

Another analyst, Dr Adams Oloo, says Ruto is less deliberate in his reactions but his commitment to Jubilee is solid.

“The DP makes statements in the best interest of the Jubilee government, but he is usually impatient politically and expresses his views freely and this may not always be received well by some President’s handlers,” says Dr Oloo.

“However, the buck stops with the President. He is under no obligation to abide by statements his deputy or anyone else makes. He is the head of government,” he adds.