Ruto in dilemma

Deputy President William Ruto is walking a tight political rope, torn between assuaging his supporters' anger over his apparently declining fortunes and maintaining loyalty to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Ruto’s supporters, including elected leaders, are simmering with rage over what they believe is a move by people close to State House to isolate the DP and cut him down to size.

Some of Ruto’s allies have been pushing him to call the bluff of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s men he believes are sabotaging his 2022 presidential bid.

But the DP is said to believe this strategy would fuel the inferno gutting Jubilee and prematurely end the political marriage with Uhuru, three and half years to the polls.

Ruto thus has remained tight-lipped about his political tribulations, putting on a brave face and dismissing any claims that he has been sidelined as street talk.

In his characteristic style, the DP yesterday played down the succession intrigues that hit fever pitch last week, following the elevation of Interior CS Fred Matiang'i