Murathe's Blunt Message to Ruto After his Disapproval of Jubilee's Decision not to Field a Candidate in Msambweni

Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe has hit out at Deputy President William Ruto over his statement of disapproval of Jubilee's decision not to field a candidate in Msambweni constituency by-election.

DP Ruto speaking at Jubilee party headquarters on Wednesday evening after a lengthy meeting with the party's SG Raphael Tuju, regretted the decision but warned that it would be the last time the party will be taking such a stance.

At the same time, Ruto would also hint that he will not be supporting the ODM candidate whom Jubilee is expected to rally behind.

"Any candidate, including Mariam here, can seek my support and I will campaign for them, but this will be the last time the party is not fielding a candidate," said Ruto as quoted by the Standard.

However, in a quick rejoinder, Murathe told off Ruto saying he was free to field a candidate using other political parties like Mwangi Kiunjuri's TSP.

Murathe who is an unapologetic critic of Ruto, also dared him to confront Jubilee party leader, President Uhuru Kenyatta, if he was not satisfied with the party's position.

"There are several parties that they can use to field a candidate if they have to. There is that The Service Party (TSP) by Mwangi Kiunjuri. They have to know that what Tuju has said is the party position. If Ruto has a problem with the decision, let him face the president because the SG has basically communicated the position of the party leader," Murathe told the Standard.

He added: "We are supporting the handshake candidate because we are not going to jeopardise the BBI (Building Bridges Initiative) for a seat we are not going to win."

Murathe's position would, nevertheless, seem to be contradicted by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja who is aligned to Uhuru's 'Kitaeleweka' faction led by Murathe and other 'political brokers' as Ruto refers to them.

"I’m at a loss. I am still consulting the oracles and wise men to find out why we (Jubilee Party) fielded a candidate in Kibra and we are not fielding one in Msambweni. What has changed between then and now? Political parties should have structures and should be institutionalized. Party members should be involved in decision-making," Sakaja said on Wednesday during an interview on Citizen TV's JKL show.