It was a Figure of Speech – Ruto Denies Almost Smacking Uhuru

Deputy President William Ruto has clarified his almost smacking his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta after the nullification of the 2017 election.

Speaking to KTN News on Thursday, the DP said no one can slap the head of state, adding that the leaked audio was just but a figure of speech.

“Honestly, that is figurative speech. Nobody can slap the president. That was a figure of speech,” he said, noting that his statement was taken out of context.

“The point I was trying to make to this audience is that the president was almost giving up. I told him you are not going to do something silly like that.”

Read: I Could Not Let Uhuru Step Aside For Raila – DP Ruto Explains Leaked Audio

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential candidate said his utterances meant that he was indeed a true friend who could not allow his boss give up the presidency.

In the audio, the DP told a delegation of Kikuyu elders that President Uhuru wanted to give up his seat.

“When your friend is about to give up, you must be there to encourage and support them. You must be there to tell them not to make wrong decisions,” Ruto said.

“In fact, many Kenyans have actually even quoted the bible; Proverbs 27:6 they are saying a slap from a friend is better than a kiss from a friend.”

Read Also: DP Ruto Dismisses Reports on Smacking President Uhuru as “False, Divisive”

On his fallout with the President, the DP said he has never insulted him but he (Uhuru) has been pushing him.

“The record is going to bear me witness, I have resisted as much as I could to respond to my boss, many people say that William Ruto has insulted Uhuru Kenyatta, I have never insulted Uhuru Kenyatta,” Ruto said.

“In fact, I have had a discussion with him and have asked him directly that I hear there is this story that I have insulted you, can you produce one clip either from intelligence, or whether it was at night…or a private meeting where I said something against you, and he said it is not there…because I am a very careful person.”

He also stated that the president has subjected him to humiliation.

Read Also: DP Ruto Under Attack For Claiming He Almost Slapped President Uhuru in 2017

“It is really unfortunate, and I regret the rivalry has gone this way…I have been a very patient person, the kind of humiliation I have been subjected to by my boss, nobody could have taken it. If it was Raila or Martha Karua, they could have done dreadful things already.”

He also revealed that the president rejected an invite to have a sit down with him and religious leaders.

“Bishops talked to me, they talked to the president. When they came back to me I told them I want to have a chat with my boss, but he refused. He flatly refused. He denied the bishop a chance for me to have a talk with him. Ask ACK bishop Ole Sapit.”