DP William Ruto
There is a saying that a dog does not bark at a lizard, and if it does, then this cannot be a lizard but something much more than just a lizard. If the incessant deafening barking and even bites on William Ruto by the dog that is the state establishment and its self-appointed guardian factotums in the non state front-waters is anything to go by, then this not a lizard we are seeing.
A fact that Ruto’s enemies must now be acknowledging going by the new depths of the trenches they are digging and layers of bricks they are adding to the height of the wall in their determined but now increasingly seeming desperate bid to stop Ruto from reaching State House. With efforts like this, who would not want to believe that there are people out to assassinate Ruto if that is what is to stop him, real or forged Ruto elimination letter?
Just when Ruto thought that his assailants had run out of thorns to strew on his path, he is discovering in shock that there are snipers placed along his route in the form of the Kenya Revenue Authority that has now been conscripted into the war against him with express and firm instructions to analyze his tax returns with a view to mismatch them with the hefty donations he has been contributing in harambees.
Already, political schemers in Jubilee, not comfortable with Ruto presidency and tax experts handpicked by Raila Odinga, want KRA to use tax file period that has just ended to access Ruto’s returns and unearth any abnormalities.
ODM claims that the DP and companies associated with him have been doctoring returns. Observers aver that when Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli claimed Ruto will not run for presidency, he was aware of the KRA trap.
This even as three cabinet members Peter Munya, Sicily and Joe Mucheru appeared at the DCI to record statements after a letter allegedly authored by a minister and revealing the alleged assassination plot on Ruto appeared online. While they admitted that they had been having night meetings, they said the meetings had nothing with taking Ruto’s life.
Also being investigated is the origin of a new audio clip that surfaced on the internet purportedly by a PS who was explaining what transpired on May 14 when the CSs and other state officers met.
The speaker in the audio claims they were summoned to a meeting at the La Mada Hotel through an SMS by Kibicho. He refers to another CS telling the meeting that “no African President has ever relinquished power and they would do to Ruto what they did to former Internal Security Minister Prof George Saitoti”.
But it is the KRA move that is worrying Ruto. Indeed, for the first time in years, Ruto toured Kesis Secondary School in Cheptais, Mt Elgon, during a fundsdrive, and disappointed his hosts when he did not give his usual Sh1m donation.
In the DP’s camp, the pressure from KRA has been enormous forcing Aden Duale to lie low and plead for forgiveness after he received a hefty Sh10 billion tax demand from KRA.
Ruto, obviously the most benevolent politician in the country is now at crossroads. His generosity saw him at one time contribute staggering Sh8 million in cash at All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi. He delivered the cash in a shopping bag.
DP Ruto and Archbishop Ole Sapit
Insiders say the government is also about to release a report on the dams scandal, where Ruto allies feature prominently as the main beneficiaries.
Analysts say, the assassination claims could have been made to divert public attention, or in other words neuter the dams report when it is released. The claims also came at a time, Kenya Aviation Authority had engaged anti-Ruto lawyers James Orengo and Otiende Amollo to challenge a ruling on Weston Hotel.
Indeed, when news of the Sh63 billion dams’ scandal broke out, there was panic in Ruto’s camp. When the DCI summoned 107 companies directors for questioning over the implementation of the Sh63 billion Arror and Kimwarer dams, Ruto and his allies tasked senators, MPs and governors from the region, and their bloggers to launch an aggressive campaign dismissing claims Sh63 billion could have been lost.
The DP’s other headache is the move to investigate how an insurance company associated with him was brought on board by Kenya Pipeline Company midway through an ongoing multi-million-shilling contract.
Africa Merchant Assurance Company (Amaco) Ltd had not participated in the tender number KPC/PU/001-OT/16 for KPC’s “All Risk Industrial and Terrorism and Sabotage Cover”, a three-year contract that was won by CIC Insurance.
However, Amaco somehow eventually got 30pc of the business while CIC holds 70pc as the lead underwriter. AIG Kenya Insurance Company Ltd holds the Public Liability Policy.
The investigators are also looking into how AIG won the public liability policy despite having not been recommended for award.
Insiders add that KRA is also analysing senate majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen tax returns, with a view to matching them with his luxurious lifestyle. Murkomen is said to be building a Sh300 million residence in Karen.
Other Ruto’s allies on the KRA radar include Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwa, Kirinyaga women representative Purity Ngiciri and his husband and his Kiharu counterpart Ndindi Nyoro.
Indications that Uhuru had decided to take a different direction during his second term after the disputed general election became evident during the March 9 2018 handshake at Harambee House that was not attended by Ruto or Raila’s opposition colleagues Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula.
And on June 14, Uhuru surprised friends and foes when he hit out at politicians he referred to as thugs out to sabotage his development agenda during the Akorino Church convention at Nairobi’s Kasarani Sports Centre.
In a rubble delivered in Kikuyu that was punctuated by pejoratives and threats, Uhuru said he has no interest in clinging to power, and his only mission was to end tribal politics and unite Kenyans.
It was therefore shocking when Kenyans woke up to news of a plot to assassinate Ruto. The three did not record statements, since there was no formal complaint. Since then, Ruto has refused to field questions from journalists on the alleged plot to assassinate him.
As of Friday, investigations had zeroed in on some officials at the deputy president’s office who they wanted to interrogate in connection with the mysterious letter.
Those wanted for interrogation are said to have been operating in a private office at Galleria Shopping Mall in Karen
