Ruto hits out at Raila over plans to return port operations to Mombasa

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Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday took his campaigns to Mombasa and Makueni counties where he rallied voters to turn out in their numbers and vote for Kenya Kwanza.

Addressing rallies in at Kalamba shopping centre in Makueni and at Kyuasini market in Kaiti, Ruto promised to complete stalled Jubilee projects in Ukambani.

"We had promised you and we will ensure we have fulfilled. This Emali Ukia Road, we will ensure it is tarmacked to raise the economy of this region," he said.

The DP was accompanied by Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, Laikipia Woman Rep Cate Waruguru, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, among other Makueni leaders.

Mudavadi said they were determined to win round one of the presidential polls.

"We can assure you; we will get that 50 plus 1 in the first round and that money meant for a repeat of the presidential election can be used elsewhere for development," he said.

Dr Mutua took a swipe at Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate Raila accusing him of practising politics of conmanship.

The Laikipia Woman Rep appealed to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to join Kenya Kwanza Alliance.

Addressing a rally at Tononoka grounds in Mombasa, Ruto promised to return port operations from Nairobi and Naivasha back to Coast.

He claimed that Raila cannot return port operations back to Mombasa because he has been taken hostage.

"When I committed to return the port operations back to Mombasa, Raila also made the same commitment. But he has no capacity to do so because he has been taken hostage by his sponsors who took the port operations away," he said.

He promised to sign an executive order to return the port operations, if elected president on Tuesday.

Ruto pledged that Kenya Kwanza government will buy one million acres of land from absentee landlords in Coast to settle thousands of squatters.

"After August 10, I will use public funds to buy one million acres from absentee landlords and settle squatters in Coast. This is my commitment to the people of Coast region," he said.

The DP also claimed that Raila has no capacity to slay the ghost of corruption because he has fallen under state capture citing his silence on those behind the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) scandal.

He further alleged that the Azimio presidential candidate has been unable to point an accusing finger at the architects of the Kemsa scandal where more than Sh17 billion was stolen.

"I wanted him to appear for the presidential debate so I could ask him why as a partner in the handshake government, he has not raised his voice over the Kemsa scandal. He has no capacity to fight corruption because he is under state capture. This is why he avoided a face off with me at the presidential debate," Ruto argued.

The DP claimed that Raila killed the Jubilee government dream on the big four leading to the high cost of living.

He said the Azimio presidential candidate teamed up with his handshake partner President Uhuru Kenyatta and advanced constitutional change at the expense of ensuring food security which saw the cost of fertiliser rise to Sh7,000 per bag.

"I you elect me on Tuesday next week, my first task will be to reduce the cost of fertiliser from Sh7000 to Sh2000," he said.

Ruto was accompanied by Governors Salim Mvurya (Kwale), Amason Kingi (Kilifi), Dr Mutua (Machakos) and former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko among other leaders.

Mvurya claimed government efforts to lower the cost of maize flour from Sh230 to Sh100 has failed since the commodity is unavailable in most outlets in the country.

"They have promised Kenyans affordable maize flour but it is not there in the first place," he said.