Deputy President William Ruto on Tuesday took a swipe at his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying he will not quit politics nor resign.
Uhuru dared Ruto to resign from the government instead of continuously accusing it of frustrating his ambitions.
“The honorable thing is that if you are not happy with it, step aside and allow those who want to move on to do so and take your agenda to the people. You can’t have your cake and eat it,” Uhuru said.
He made the comments during an interview with Citizen TV on Monday.
However, while attending the burial of the Mahoo MCA Ronald Sangurani in Taveta on Tuesday morning, the Deputy President said he will not quit.
“I want to tell those who are against us that they should know that I’m a man on a mission. I have no space to retreat nor the luxury to surrender,” said Ruto.
He said his mission is to ensure millions of jobless Kenyans and those who run small businesses become part of the national government agenda.
Earlier on, there were alleged attempts by the police to disrupt the burial after members of the community allegedly contravened the Covid-19 measures.
Ruto said, “What happened in the morning was very shameful. I want to apologise on behalf of this government to the family and the people of Taveta over that disruption.”
The Deputy President arrived at the home of the MCA at 10.30am accompanied by Taita Taveta Woman Representative Lydia Haika, Taveta MP Naomi Shaban, Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and former Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu.
Others were Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wa and recently elected Kiamba MP Njuguna Wanjiku.
The MCA succumbed to Covid-19 complications last Friday at a Mombasa hospital.
Haika said it was unfortunate that the MCA, who was elected on the Jubilee party ticket, was being denied a befitting send-off "because DP Ruto had planned to attend the burial".
“Why were people chased away in the morning? This is a leader who was elected on the Jubilee ticket. Why such kind of humiliation,” posed Haika.
Shaban tried to calm the her, saying that Covid-19 protocols need to be observed.
She said no one was attempting to humiliate the Deputy President nor the family.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta sent his condolence message to the family. DP Ruto is here today to condole with the family, all we know is that they are our leaders in government. Covid-19 is real and everyone needs to be cautious,” said Shaban.
However, Malindi MP Jumwa said Covid-19 control measures cannot be applied selectively.
“Recently, there was a burial event in Homa Bay, people attended in their thousands. Police were sent to provide security, no one was sent away. Why is it that today we are told we cannot converge here because of Covid-19?” Jumwa said.
She said what happened in Taveta before Ruto’s arrival was unfair.
“This is really bad and unfair. We apologise to the family for what happened,” she said.
Ichung'wa told Ruto no one should force him to resign.
“No one should ever tell you to resign,” he said.
Others who attended the burial were Voi MP Jones Mlolwa, his Mwatate counterpart Andrew Mwadime and Taita Taveta Senator Jones Mwaruma.
Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja was absent.
Edited by CM