“I love the media, I love you guys” -DP Ruto showers KTN journalists Zubeida and Sophia with love

Deputy President William Ruto yesterday appeared for an interview with KTN News.

Ruto who appeared at the Serena Hotel with journalists Sophia Wanuna and Zubeida Koome took time to discuss his presidential plan if he wins the election.

When asked what agenda he has for the Kenyan media, Ruto said the best way to support the media is to criticize it when it goes wrong.

“The best way to support the media is to criticize it when it goes wrong. And I want the media to do the right thing. I support the media. I love the media. I love you guys, you just need to do the right thing,” Ruto said.

William Ruto: The best way to support the media is to criticize it when it goes wrong#UlizaRutoKTN pic.twitter.com/nalZrXPifl

— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) July 7, 2022

Over the past few years,  Ruto had seem to becoming increasingly hostile to journalists, after accusing them of being biased.

On August 10 2019, journalists were roughed up at an Ilchamus traditional wedding of Ruto’s aide Amos Ole Mpaka at Ng’ambo in Baringo South Constituency.

On August 14 the DP embedded a headline by this newspaper in a tweet disparaging the story.

“This is what constitutes fake news. I know it is difficult but newspapers should try selling without the ‘Ruto’ mention. Please! Tafadhali woiye!” the tweet read.

He, however, did not explain what was fake or what he disagreed with in the story titled, ‘Ruto allies plot to scuttle Uhuru-Raila referendum’.

In another response to a front-page story by the Daily Nation on July 14, Ruto tweeted, “So our democracy is so liberal that the SG of a ruling party has become the chief strategist of the opposition!! Maajabu.”

Speaking on his relationship with Uhuru

Deputy president William Ruto has confessed that he has faced so much humilliation under Uhuru’s Government.

According to him, he has been a very patient person to stand all that. He says if it was Raila or Karua experiencing the same thing, they would have done worst things to the president.

“I have been a very patient person. The kind of humiliation that I have been subjected to by my boss, nobody could have taken it. If it was Raila or Martha Karua, they would have done drastic things,” Ruto said. 

DP Ruto: I have been a very patient person. The kind of humiliation that I have been subjected to by my boss, nobody could have taken it. If it was Raila or Martha Karua, they would have done drastic things #UlizaRutoKTN pic.twitter.com/m5jC6D44fV

— KTN News (@KTNNewsKE) July 7, 2022

Responding to extra-judicial killings, the DP said that the President excluded him from the National security council when he questioned some of the things.

“3 Years ago, the President excluded me from attending the National security council, because I ask tough questions, to curb the extra-judicial killings,” Ruto said. 

DP Ruto: I have had a discussion with him (Uhuru) and I have asked him directly, I hear there is this story that I have insulted you. Can you produce one clip from the intelligence, whether it was at night or in a private meeting but he said it’s not there #UlizaRutoKTN pic.twitter.com/HqHABU6upZ

— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) July 7, 2022

Commentary

To many Kenyans, it has been clear that Ruto has faced different humiliation by junior officers in a government that he helped form.

Among them are the cabinet secretaries who in many instances have been heard referring to him as a clerk or tanga tanga.

The interior ministry has mainly been on the spot for selectively targeting William Ruto meetings and ensuring they don’t happen.

The deputy president has also accused senior leaders of fighting his 2022 statehouse bid warning he was unstoppable.

This led to a section of Kenyans calling on them to respect his office, if they could not respect him as a person.