DP William Ruto condemns violence at Wetang'ula presidential launch

Deputy President William Ruto Sunday condemned the violence at the launch of Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula’s presidential bid.

The violence in Kakamega on Saturday saw many people injured, with police using tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.

Mr Ruto further called on CORD leader Raila Odinga to take responsibility for the violence at Muliro Gardens.

“The Kakamega incident is very disturbing, and the leadership of the Opposition needs to stand up and tell Kenyans who was behind the disruption of the meeting. It should be clear that no person or community is in this country accidentally and we need to respect each other and live cohesively,” said Ruto.

He said the disruption that led to the injury of many innocent Kenyans was well co-ordinated and from a similar script to that which led to the violence that marred the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party elections in Kasarani in 2014.

“We are a democratic nation and we need to defend this right through actions and not mere talk. Wetang’ula is a Kenyan and has a right to vie for any position and campaign anywhere in the country. Those who caused the awful spectacle are undermining and working against the unity of Kenyans,” he said.

He called on the electorate to be keen, and vote in leaders based on issues, ideas and policies to transform the nation and not to perpetrate violence like the one witnessed after the 2007 general elections.

Killed relevance

Senator Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet) accused the Opposition of killing its relevance as an alternative government due to the confusion, hatred and disunity portrayed by its members.

“It is a loss for you if the only option you can provide as a government is violence. They are the same people who fought in Kasarani and blew whistles in the National Assembly during the State of the Nation address by the President. This is not what Kenyans want because we are tired of violence,” he added.

Mr Murkomen said Raila had nothing more to explain about the violence and he needs to accept that there was disunity among CORD affiliated parties; challenging them to amicably decide on a presidential flag bearer who the Jubilee government is ready to face off with in 2017.

“Our Senate minority leader needs to read a lot from the blackmail shown by ODM leadership. He needs to know that the former prime minister is frustrating his bid to vie for the top seat,” said Murkomen.