URP chief says he will not rejoin ODM

By Renson Buluma

United Republican Party presidential hopeful William Ruto has said he has no regrets of pulling out of ODM.

The Eldoret North MP said those calling for him to rejoin ODM were daydreamers. “I am on my way to the ‘promised land’ Canaan and those asking me to go back to Egypt are wasting their time,” he said.

He said attempts have been made to persuade him to return to ODM so that he can work with Prime Minister Raila Odinga, but he declined.

Ruto said he was not willing to team up with leaders who engage in vain rhetoric and do little to improve the lives of Kenyans.

“My performance at the Ministry of Agriculture speaks for itself because during that time, the ministry was ranked the best. I made a similar impact at the Higher Education ministry, but the reward I got was sacking,” said Ruto.

He was speaking at Kamunoit village in Amukura Division, Teso South District, during the burial of Okochil Iluku John, father to Busia County URP chairman Vincent Okochil.

Criticised move

He also criticised the Government’s decision to form a commission to investigate the Tana River killings.

The Eldoret North MP said the Government had sufficient security and intelligence mechanism, which should investigate the matter and not form a commission.

Meanwhile, Ruto took his campaigns to Migori County where he promised to improve its economy if he wins the presidency.

Ruto campaigned in Kuria Constituency where he said he would strive to maintain an economic growth of over ten per cent.

Speaking at St Mary Mabera Catholic Church after attending a Sunday church service on Sunday, Ruto said he would lay emphasis on agricultural activities to achieve the goal.

The Eldoret North legislator noted that the biggest percentage of his budget appropriation would go towards the agricultural sector to realise the targeted growth.

—Additional reporting by Nick Oluoch