Uhuru begged me to ditch Ruto — Duale

President Uhuru Kenyatta reportedly begged former Majority leader Aden Duale to stop supporting DP William Ruto and to cut off "the head of the snake". 

That's what Duale, who was purged with Ruto allies, told the rally in Kasarani on Tuesday when Ruto was crowned the UDA presidential candidate.

For the first time, Duale publicly revealed his 45-minute talk with the President who wanted him to end his back backing for the Deputy President.

They are now bitter adversaries and the President is campaigning with the state machinery against his own deputy.

"One morning, in one of the rare parliamentary groups meetings, the President and I had a talk. He told me I was the best of the best," Duale said.

The former Majority leader said the President expressed his dissatisfaction with Duale siding with Ruto.

"We have completed the first batch by sorting out [Ruto allies] [Kipchumba] Murkomen, Susan [Kihika] and [Kimani] Ichung'wah.

"But because you are the friend of Ruto, the head of the snake is still in Parliament."

He said the President wanted him to align with his camp and ditch the DP's side, something Duale told the crowd he was not ready to do.

“I am a man of God. I have walked a long journey with Ruto. I am ready to walk away from the office [rather than] than be part of your politics

of deceit, betrayal and back-stabbing,” Duale told the crowd.

The Garissa Township MP has pledged to reveal more details of the meeting in a memoir he will be releasing soon.

“I will give you more in the book that I am about to publish. We are tired of the politics of betrayal,” the MP said.

Duale used his address in Kasarani to urge Ruto not to allow political brokers to undermine the office of the Deputy President in the future.

"Over 145 MPs from all regions and communities said that we would not leave William Ruto in the slaughterhouse," Duale said. 

"The common denominator in Kenyan politics has been betrayal and deceit. That must be stopped."

(Edited by V. Graham)