You won’t stop me, Ruto now tells political rivals

Deputy President William Ruto addresses wananchi at Kitale town. [DPPS]

Deputy President William Ruto continued his onslaught on political rivals on the second day of his tour of North Rift, saying days of ethnic-based political mobilisation were long gone.

In an apparent reference to the State House meeting attended by the major Building Bridges Initiative champions earlier this week, Dr Ruto said Kenyans would not allow a few leaders to decide the political destiny of the country.

He spoke while officiating the opening of a Sh10 million dining hall at Kitum High School in Endebess constituency, Trans Nzoia County.

“We will not accept a government formed on the basis of tribal grouping. Why should people meet in Nairobi and unite for a common goal of sharing power?” asked Ruto.

He said the youth in the country are not tribal and would not accept those propagating tribal groupings.

Ruto has been seeking political support under the “hustler” tag, courting the suffering masses. His competitors have said he is fomenting a class war pitting the hustlers against the well to-do.

“The youth of this country are not tribal and will not allow those leaders planting seeds of hatred and a government formed on tribal terms,” he said.

He said a section of politicians had decided to form tribal groupings to curtail his presidential ambitions, adding that their scheme would not succeed as he enjoys goodwill from Kenyans.

God is on my side

“The have ganged up against me, but God is on my side. I will continue with my quest to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta. I urge Kenyans to support my bid because I have a mission for this country,” said Ruto.

He said his competitors did not have development track record to speak of and that is why they are embracing tribal politics.

“These leaders meeting in Nairobi have nothing to offer Kenyans. They have no development record, the more reason they are embracing tribal politics to derail my presidential candidature. But they won’t succeed,” he said.

He poured cold water on constitutional changes currently being undertaken through the Building Bridges Initiative, saying the planned changes would not solve the problems facing the country.

Ruto said constitutional amendment was not a priority for the country at the moment.