Youths criticise Deputy President William Ruto over plans to disband United Republican Party without consultation

Deputy President William Ruto has been criticized by youths in the South Rift region over calls to disband the United Republican Party (URP) ahead of the 2017 general election.

Ruto was asked to be a symbol of unity in the politics of Rift Valley region and widely consult the party members and officials on the matter instead of making unilateral decisions that had far reaching implications.

The DP last weekend announced in Bomet that URP would be disbanded and merged with President Uhuru Kenyatta's The National Alliance Party (TNA) to form the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP).

"URP is a party owned by the masses and not an individual, and as such the party members and grassroots officials must be consulted on decisions relating to its management, including whether or not it should be disbanded," the youths said in Bomet town.

Led by Benard Koech, Jackline Chepngeno and Benard Ruto, the youths said URP leadership should stop its dictatorial tendencies and allow leaders and members to make an input in the management of the party.

The youths defended Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto over the altercations with the DP during a fundraiser in aid of Joywo Women group in Bomet which was marked by heckling and name calling by supporters of the Governor and Members of Parliament.

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"Let us allow full tenets of democracy to thrive as differences in opinion among URP leaders and residents of Rift Valley region does not amount to rebellion," they said.

They also criticized youths from Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties led by Joel Kimaiyo who called for disciplinary action to be taken against Governor Ruto for allegedly being rebellious and failing to respect the Deputy President.

"It beats logic that while top URP leadership is talking of disbanding the party, some are calling for disciplinary actions to be taken against some outspoken party members and leaders," Chepngeno stated.

The youths said that residents of the South Rift region were generally against calls to join JAP due to failure to consult them.

"We are rallying behind Governor Ruto and other like-minded leaders in insisting on expanded democratic space in URP and leaders should be held to account for their pre-election promises."

They said the DP's utterances and conduct during the stand-off in Bomet depicted him as an intolerant and emotional leader who does not want to be held accountable.

"The Deputy President failed to provide leadership during the meeting and did not answer questions raised publicly by the Governor including the fact that he sponsors MPs to go round and insult him(Governor) and sabotage projects by Bomet County government," the youths  stated.

Koech said, "The DP being a national leader was expected by members of the public to bring leaders together to iron out the differences and unite them in initiating development projects, but he went ahead and joined in the chorus of condemning the Governor."

During the Bomet meeting, the DP said he singlehanded formed URP and would be instrumental in its disbandment adding that no amount of criticism would dissuade him from going ahead with the move.