SPEECH and political rhetoric of Speaker Justin Muturi of the National Assembly in recent days, have indicated that he may be preparing to move to the political camp of Deputy President William Ruto.
Since announcing his candidacy for the presidency in July, Mr Muturi has been complaining about “harassment by celebrities in government”, similar statements made by Dr Ruto’s supporters.
During the funeral of two brothers allegedly killed by police in Kianjokoma area, Embu County in August, Mr Muturi read out Dr Ruto’s speech.
It is a situation that has raised questions considering that senior government officials have been avoiding contact with Dr Ruto in any way.
Last Saturday, Mr Muturi criticized some government institutions, which he said were harassing leaders over their political views.
Addressing a delegation visiting his home in Kanyuambora, Embu, Mr Muturi claimed that he had been intimidated by KRA officials by announcing his intention to run for the presidency in 2022.
“We will not be intimidated. I told them I was ready to be examined as I had nothing to fear. You can scare people but not all of them. Threats against officials that they will be prosecuted for supporting me should stop. I will stand firm with leaders who are intimidated into supporting my cause, ”said Mr Muturi. Based on those statements, political analysts say there is a strong possibility Mr Muturi is heading to the ‘Tangatanga’ wing, although he has not made it clear.
“When a high-ranking government official like Mr Muturi begins to claim that some influential people are harassing him, it is a clear sign that he is preparing to make big decisions that could shake the country’s politics,” said Mr Kipkorir Mutai, a political analyst.
He says those movements were the first to show Senator Irungu Kang’ata (Murang’a) serving as the Senate Majority Leader in the Senate. Later, he joined ‘Tangatanga’ when he was removed from the post. Investigators say Mr Muturi’s remarks are a major blow to ongoing efforts to reunite Mount Kenya.
“This is also a major blow to President Uhuru Kenyatta, especially his statement on the political process that the region will follow by 2022. It will also have a profound effect on his successor as the leader and political spokesman of his stronghold,” said Mr Mutai.
