Kenya deputy president asks Kenyatta for forgiveness

By BBC

Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto has asked President Uhuru Kenyatta for forgiveness after the pair fell out following their re-election in 2018.

The differences between President Kenyatta and his deputy have played out openly in public.

The president does not support Mr Ruto’s bid for the presidency in August’s elections and has instead thrown his weight behind opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Mr Ruto made his comments at an annual prayer breakfast meeting organised by parliament – with Mr Kenyatta in the audience.

The deputy president addressed the gathering, asking Kenyans for forgiveness for any of the government’s shortcomings – and then went on to refer to Mr Kenyatta as his “good friend”.

“I also know that serving as deputy president I may have fallen short of expectations of my boss, his excellency the president – my good friend, I ask for your forgiveness,” he said.

He went on to wish the president a peaceful retirement.

Mr Kenyatta, who is finishing his second and last term this year, did not react to Mr Ruto’s comments.

The president does not have the power to sack his deputy – he can only be removed from office if he is impeached or is incapacitated.

Here is a video of the moment Mr Ruto made the remarks – tweeted by NTV Kenya: