Ruto says he was locked out of Uhuru’s meeting

The fact that there’s a split between President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto is no longer a secret after the matter escalated yesterday when the DP claimed he was locked out of a meeting with top Government officials including Chief Administrative Secretaries and Principal Secretaries,

During the meeting, Mr Kenyatta demanded the completion of state projects a matter crucial for his legacy.

The head of state has only 17 months to the end of his second and final term.

The role to chair committees of the Cabinet that coordinate the implementation of government projects was stripped off from the DP Ruto and handed over to Internal security CS Fred Matiang’i whom together with Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua sat at the high table with the President.

A few days ago, Mr Kenyatta told the DP to pack and leave Government if he’s not happy with his administration.

Yesterday marked the second time in seven months that the DP was kicked out of such a meeting with State House.

Deputy president aide has come out to clear the matter saying that indeed Mr. Ruto was never invited to the meeting yesterday.

“As far as I know, the Deputy President was not invited. But let State House clarify,” the DP’s director of communication Emmanuel Talam told the press.

Last week, Uhuru criticised his once bromance partner Dr. William Ruto for his unending criticism of the government which he is part of.

The president said that Ruto slams the Government for its failures while at the same time quick in taking credit for its successes.

“On the one hand, you criticise the government and on the other, you want to say you have done such and such as government. How many governments are there? If you want to work with us, please do. If you want to criticise, get out,” the President said in Dagoretti South, Nairobi, last week.

In a response, the DP said that he is in government to stay and well placed to succeed President Kenyatta.

State House has issued a statement saying that the yesterday meeting was for the President to discuss government priorities for the year, including the Big Four Agenda and Vision 2030 projects.

Big Four agenda

Uhuru Kenyatta has listed universal healthcare, half-a-million affordable houses, food security and manufacturing as his Big Four legacy-driven agenda.

“The President outlined to the officers his vision and priorities for this year,” State House spokesperson Kanze Dena Mararo said.

President Kenyatta insisted on team work for the top Executive team, efficient use of public resources, she added.

It’s no longer a mere factor that both the President and the DP are exchanging political barbs a pointer to a severed relationship. What started as a warning against Ruto’s cross-cross of the country has grown into full-blown open attack by his boss.

The Dp has been isolated in government where he no longer attends Cabinet meetings or the critical chamber of National Security Council.