Azimio – One Kenya Director Raphael Tuju has claimed that President Uhuru Kenyatta paid deputy president William Ruto to support his presidential quest in 2013 and 2017.

Speaking on Wednesday during an exclusive interview at a local radio station, Inooro FM, Tuju dared Ruto to challenge his remarks in court as he threatened to table evidence about unraveled Uhuru and Ruto deal.

He asserted that Ruto was paid by Uhuru and demanded 50 percent of the cabinet and parastatal to back Uhuru’s statehouse bid.

“He was paid. Let the people of Mt Kenya not think Ruto supported Uhuru willingly, this is a person of blackmail. I can confirm before a court of law how,” he told Inooro FM.

Raphael Tuju

Tuju noted that DP Ruto joined Uhuru with a set of demands, which led to him getting half of all cabinet slots.

“He demanded 50 percent of the cabinet and parastatal slots in the Jubilee government. Don’t think that Ruto supported Uhuru willingly” added Tuju.

Tuju’s remarks follow Uhuru’s sentiments

Tuju’s remark comes following President Uhuru Kenyatta and his principal assistant, William Ruto’s bruise divorce after teaming for a coalition in 2013 and 2017.

Despite the head of state assuring Ruto to support his 2022 presidential bid, Uhuru defied the famous 2017 statement “yangu kumi na Ruto kumi”, Uhuru has endorsed the opposition leader Raila Odinga for the presidential seat under Azimio – One Kenya coalition, a position supported by Tuju and his troupe.

Uhuru rallied electorates to vote for Raila Odinga in the forthcoming election.

Ruto’s main challenger in the presidential race, Raila Odinga has toured Mt Kenya turf today, Wednesday, on vote hunting mission with less than 12 days remaining to the battle.

Other candidates in the presidential race include Agano Party’s David Waihiga Mwaure and The Roots Party candidate George Luchiri Wajackoyah.

In the recent polls, Raila and Ruto have been plotted on the neck tie with a paltry margin between the two candidates.