State House director of political affairs Machel Waikenda has allegedly joined Deputy President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
The allegations were made by DP Ruto’s aide Dennis Itumbi on Friday September 17, 2021.
Itumbi through his social media accounts posted a campaign poster bearing the image of Dr. Waikenda and the UDA logo and colors.
According to the poster, Waikenda will be vying for the Kiambu County Senatorial seat on a UDA ticket come 2022.
Itumbi welcomed him to DP Ruto’s camp, noting that it was a home of the ‘hustler nation’.
“Alaaar. State House Director, @MachelWaikenda welcome to @UDAKenya the home of #HustlerNation,” Itumbi posted.
The post has stirred mixed reactions, with a section of netizens claiming that Waikenda might have been part of the team that has been leaking President Uhuru Kenyatta’s intelligence briefs to Itumbi.
Itumbi through his famous Hustler Nation Intelligence Bureau (HNIB) has been leaking details of high profile meetings through his social media accounts.
DP Ruto and President Kenyatta fell out in 2018 after the head of state’s handshake with ODM leader Raila Oding.
The rift between the two leaders has been widening, with the clergy recently calling them to reconcile.
On Thursday, Ruto said he is ready to bury the hatchet with President after Catholic Bishops offered to broker a truce.
Speaking at his home in Nairobi, Ruto said he is ready to face Uhuru unconditionally.
The second in command blamed his falling-out with Uhuru on what he termed gossip fed to the President by outsiders who joined government. It was an apparent reference to ODM leader Raila Odinga and his brigade.
Ruto said the reconciliation should be fast-tracked to avoid plunging the country into further crisis and deepening hostility.
