Relinquish URP to us, Governor Ruto tells Deputy President

Another political storm is brewing in Deputy President William Ruto’s United Republican Party (URP) with two governors from South Rift telling the DP to surrender the party to “loyal” members. The new push to take over control of URP – a major partner in the Jubilee government — is part of a strategy employed by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto to cut a niche for himself in the South Rift, which is slightly more populous than North Rift where the DP comes from.

Leading the onslaught against the DP is Ruto, his Kericho counterpart Paul Chepkwony and Kuresoi South MP Zakayo Cheruiyot, who have been at loggerheads with the DP over the formation of the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP).

Ruto and Chepkwony have said Rift Valley residents are tired of being “politically hawked” around and would therefore stick to URP in the 2017 elections.

“If the current URP leaders are no longer interested in the party, let them leave it to us. We are ready to re-brand it for the 2017 general election,” Governor Ruto said.

But URP Secretary General Fred Muteti has warned the Bomet governor to forget URP, saying talks for the merger with The National Alliance (TNA) and other Jubilee affiliate parties were at an advanced stage.

Muteti vowed that they would not hand over the party to Governor Ruto and his group, describing them as “disloyal and troublemakers” out to wreck URP for selfish gains.

“We know Ruto is headed for the opposition (CORD) and what he has been doing is to rock the boat from within then leave when the time is right,” he claimed.

Muteti said the party’s National Executive Council (NEC), which was convened in Nairobi yesterday, will discuss party discipline and conduct of the Bomet governor and other members.

“Ruto is a thorn in the flesh. We will not be cowed by his tricks. URP is still intact and any idea that will bring unity and cohesion in the country will be embraced by the party leadership after consultations with members,” the secretary general said.

Ruto and Chepkwony, who attended a fundraiser to offset rent arrears for a URP office in Litein town in, Kericho County, on Tuesday, described JAP as an ill-thought move that has been rejected by South Rift residents.

“In their wisdom, our elders cautioned against rushing to demolish one’s house in a bid to shift to a new one. Therefore, if there is a need for party relocation, it should be gradual and the residents must be consulted first because we will not accept to move to an empty shell,” said Chepkwony. But National Assembly Deputy Speaker Dr Joyce Laboso told Governor Ruto that the writing was on the wall and he should start thinking of what he will do after 2017.