• Sang and Cherargei say President did not consult Ruto before handshake with Raila
• Sang says they will stand with Ruto with or without Uhuru’s support in 2022
Deputy President William Ruto’s allies have demanded that President Uhuru Kenyatta cut ties with ODM leader Raila Odinga to "save Jubilee from collapse".
They said the Big Four agenda will fail because of Raila’s entry into government through the handshake.
The leaders said the handshake has derailed the party and government programmes.
They said it is impossible for the government to operate effectively because of wrangles "introduced by Raila".
“With Raila in government and working to scuttle everything, the Big Four agenda and many other programmes will collapse,” Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei said.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang said Jubilee has been split into camps and the party may collapse should the President continue entertaining the ODM leader.
Sang and Cherargei said Uhuru did not consult his second in command before the handshake.
“Since March 9, 2018, when the so-called handshake took place, we have been having serious problems in government and Jubilee. The only way out now is for Uhuru to divorce Raila,” Cherargei said.
The leaders spoke in Lessos, Nandi, where Energy CS Charles Keter handed over a primary school that was built by Kenya Power.
Sang said Ruto has been working with many leaders to ensure peace and development.
“At the [Devolution] Conference in Kirinyaga, I realised that county chiefs, other leaders and the public are willing to work with Ruto compared to Raila. A majority of the leaders confessed they don’t have a problem supporting DP for President in 2022," he said.
Sang and Cherargei said only a few leaders, led by Raila, are using the handshake to frustrate and block Ruto from succeeding Uhuru in 2022.
“Some think they will use the handshake to impose Raila as President, but Kenyans think differently and will back DP Ruto,” Sang said.
He said they will stand with Ruto with or without Uhuru’s support in 2022.
Cherargei said Raila refused to accept the 2007 General Election results, leading to the violence that almost brought the country to its knees.
He said Raila has penetrated State House.
Keter urged the Kalenjin to remain united and support the DP. He said the community should forgive and accommodate the DP's critics such as Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter.