Jubilee Party, UDA are brothers and will work together, assures Ruto

President William Ruto (second left) his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua (second right), Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru (left) and Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika in Nakuru on February 12, 2023. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

President William Ruto has reiterated his readiness to work with leaders elected through other parties after he received Jubilee Party MPs.

Ruto, who spoke during a national prayer service in Nakuru, said Jubilee, a party which unceremoniously exited him, will now work with United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

"Jubilee and UDA are brothers. There will be no boundaries. Nobody will need permission to work with me for the interests of Kenyans. I am and will work with all to transform Kenya," said Ruto.

Ruto noted that Kenyans were not interested in political divisions.

"There are those who want to sustain divisions. They do not want us to meet or work together. We will not allow them to hold us hostage with their politics of personality cult and ethnicity," said Ruto.

Following claims by the opposition that they would not recognize him as a legitimate President, Ruto described last year's elections as historically the most transparent.

"Our 2022 general elections stand out in the history of Kenya. We had the highest number of voters, and it was the most peaceful. My victory was also derived from a majority vote 70 per cent of which came from communities I do come from," said Ruto.

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He dismissed those opposed to his win, saying their dissenting voices were emerging from their failed plans to interfere with the elections.

"Today, the country is at a point where it is more united than ever. Kenyans must refuse any attempt to divide them. It is time for the government that we have to work for us all," said Ruto.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said they are not interested in revenge against those who persecuted them, adding that there was need for forgiveness.

"Our persecutors wielded a lot of power, but the will of people and God prevailed. Those who were tormented alongside some of us, kindly find it in your heart to forgive," said Gachagua.

He lashed at former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i on the alleged raid at his residence by the police, saying that it never happened.

"These people are having hallucinations and nightmares. This is because they are haunted by prayers of the weak, who became victims of their extra-judicial killings," said Gachagua.

Gachagua welcomed Jubilee Party, saying they should not be intimidated by those who feel that their move was not wise.

"They intimidated us when they were in power, and they cannot do the same now. Those intimidating MPs who went to State House should stop. The president is uniting the country as required by law. And he is not stopping soon," said Gachagua.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said the current administration was not in any way intending to hit back at those who persecuted them under the previous regime.

"We did not win the election by selling revenge agenda. We want to be a law-abiding leadership with fairness and justice. The ills that were done on Ruto, do not define his agenda," said Mudavadi.

He said they will instead focus on delivering their political promises, which will go a long way in making it easy for them to win a second term in 2027.

"The hallmark of a mature democracy is a democracy that can transition smoothly from one regime to the other. Ruto was legitimately elected. There is no reverse gear about that. Those who still have doubts can only be prayed for," said Mudavadi.

In a thinly-veiled attack on former President Uhuru, Mudavadi urged him to leave from politics.

"We are reminding those who have transited to allow Ruto time to work."