We joined forces with Ruto to avoid a runoff, says Mudavadi

Deputy President William Ruto with ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi during a political rally in Bungoma County.

Deputy President William Ruto courted Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang'ula to his side to win the presidential elections in the first round and avoid a costly run off. 

The three leaders toured Kirinyaga County yesterday, and told ecstatic supporters that Kenya could not afford a second round of presidential elections.

The ANC and Ford-Kenya leaders said they decided to work with DP Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) for a sure victory on August 9. The two accompanied Ruto on a campaign tour of Embu and Kirinyaga counties, and said their coalition with UDA would unite Kenyans ahead of the polls.

Ruto dismissed Raila Odinga's presidential bid as a project that will fail. He said although he respects President Uhuru Kenyatta as his boss and a friend, his support for Raila would be in vain because voters would reject him.

He said Raila could not be trusted and had a history of shortchanging allies in previous elections, and added that the Political Parties (amendment) Act was passed to protect those forming coalitions with the ODM leader.

"Why don't we just ask him to go home," posed Ruto adding ODM was using handouts to woo the youth to support his bid.

"We respect you as an elder and likewise respect the Kenyan youth who deserve an education, jobs and a good economy, not handouts," Ruto said.

He said UDA government will empower the youth by investing in education and agriculture. Wetang'ula said Raila had conned him and Mudavadi politically and therefore should not be trusted.

"We have supported Raila and have over time realised has no respect to anyone else but only thinks about himself," he said.

The DP conducted a whirlwind tour of Embu and Kirinyaga counties with stop overs at Kibugu trading centre in Manyatta constituency and Thiba grounds in Mwea West.

"We want to win in round one and reallocate the budgetary allocation for a run off to revive the economy, so help us win it in the first round," Mudavadi said.

He exuded confidence that the team will win in all regions. "We have already climbed Mt Elgon. We will climb Mt Kenya and next will be scaling the Aberdares," Mudavadi said.

He said their unity was to bring equality to all Kenyans by ensuring they get quality services from the government.

"It is not over until it is over, kindly register as voters in large numbers and ensure you vote. Make sure that you also guard the votes at the polling station," Wetang'ula added.

He asked the Independent, Electoral and Boundaries Commission to conduct free and fair elections. 

MPs accompanying Ruto claimed that Raila was trying to hide his character behind Azimio la Umoja movement, but Kenyans already know him.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro said the Government is using public funds to finance Raila's rallies saying that they (UDA) are waiting for them. 

"We are waiting for President Uhuru Kenyatta to tell us where we went wrong as Mt Kenya leaders," Ndindi said.

Local MPs John Muchiri (Manyatta), Cecily Mbarire (Nominated), Muriuki Njagagua (Mbeere North), Geoffrey King'angi (Mbeere South) and a host of aspirants accompanied the DP.

Others were senators Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi) Aaron Cheruiyot (Nandi) and MPs Aisha Jumwa, Alice Wahome, Rigathi Gachagua, Kimani Ichung'wa and Patrick Gitonga.