Stay put, we are with you, DP Ruto assures Mvurya

DP William Ruto flanked by other leaders waves to residents of Diani during a rally at Diani grounds in Kwale county. (Photo: Tobias Chanji/Standard)

Jubilee will support embattled Kwale governor Salim Mvurya in his battle with the Opposition, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

The DP said Mvurya had found himself at the centre of an onslaught by the Opposition since he defected from the Orange Democratic Movement and declared his support for Jubilee.

Mr Ruto noted that the libel suit filed by Mombasa governor Hassan Ali Joho on the grounds that he had been defamed by Mvurya was driven by a desire to punish the Kwale County boss.

On Friday Joho threatened to sue Mvurya and his deputy Fatuma Achani accusing them of defaming him.

But yesterday Ruto, who was touring Kwale with Mvurya, declared that the ruling coalition would  stand by Mvurya and protect him from the Opposition.

“Mvurya has been sued because he defended the rights of people of Kwale and its resources including minerals. As a government we are behind him and let him stand firm...will make sure that the right of the Kwale people are protected,” said Ruto.

Speaking at Ukunda Showground in Kwale last evening Ruto led local Jubilee leaders in criticising Joho and declaring their support for Mvurya.

During the rally, Mvurya maintained that he would always defend his people.

Ruto was accompanied my Majority Leader Aden Duale and Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko among other leaders who all promised to work with the embattled governor.