DP Ruto: Fold your parties, ditch ethnic talk if you want to join me

Deputy President William Ruto [left] joins Rev. Robert Mudzombaa to cut a cake during the launch of the Duruma Bible at Kinango. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto yesterday ruled out a possible coalition with other parties saying whoever wants to work with him must fold his outfit and join the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

Speaking in Kinango, Kwale County during the launch of the Duruma Bible, Ruto claimed coalition talks were schemes by party leaders to secure positions for themselves ahead of the polls.

“These small parties are vehicles used by their leaders to bargain for positions. Politics of ethnicity benefits only a few leaders with positions and privilege,” said Ruto.

The DP said he had established a national political party to bring all Kenyans together regardless of ethnicity or social status. He ruled out possibility of entering a coalition with what he termed ‘ethnic parties’.

“Psalms 133 verses 3 says that where there is unity, God commands blessings. I have formed a national party for all of us to join so that we can get the blessings of prosperity and unity,” he said.

Ruto also hailed the leaders in Kwale who came up with the idea of translating the bible saying it will help to spread the gospel. The Duruma is one of the nine Mijikenda sub-tribes at the Coast.

“I’m told it took the group 30 years to come up with the first fully translated Duruma bible. I promise I will help such endeavours,” said Ruto who was accompanied by Governor Salim Mvurya.

Mvurya said he would support Ruto’s push to unite the country. In the recent past, Mvurya has tried to bring together the leadership of fringe parties in the Coast to establish a coalition.

Early this year, the DP poured cold water on his allies, Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and her Kilifi North counterpart Owen Baya, to revive Kadu-Asili and use it to negotiate with UDA.

In Central, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has rejected the DP’s calls to fold his Chama Cha Kazi to join UDA. Former CS Mwangi Kiunjuri has also rejected calls to collapse his The Service Party (TSP).