Raila is a government project, Kenya Kwanza tells Kitui voters

Deputy President William Ruto speaks during a political rally at Uvete, Kilome in Makueni County. [Courtesy]

The Kenya Kwanza team led by Deputy President William Ruto yesterday urged Kitui County residents to support Ruto and reject ODM leader Raila Odinga whom they claimed was a government project.

Ruto was accompanied by Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula, UDA chair Johnstone Muthama, Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai and former Nairobi deputy governor Jonathan Mueke among others.

They addressed rallies in Tseikuru where Wiper party boss Kalonzo Musyoka hails from before flying to Mathuki in Mwingi Central for another rally. Other rallies were held at Mutitu/Ndooa and Athi in Kitui South.

At a rally in Mutitu/Ndooa in Kitui East, the Kenya Kwanza team said Wednesday's meeting by President Uhuru Kenyatta at Sagana confirmed that Raila is a government project.

"Yesterday, I heard the president say he supports Raila. It should be clear that I am not in any competition with President Uhuru Kenyatta. Raila should stop hiding behind the president, let him come out and face me," the DP said at Mutitu.

Ruto said he had done his best in the two previous elections to support and help Uhuru, adding that since his term is coming to an end, he should let Kenyans decide on their future without interference.

"The president has completed his term and is going home. Kenyans will choose their next leadership," he said.

Wetangula said that the president's speech at Sagana was filled with anger and that it was not good for the country.

The Ford Kenya leader said the Head of State should follow in the footsteps of retired president Mwai Kibaki who did not endorse anyone.

"Kenyans will not elect a stooge, the government project should be rejected. The handshake was a poisoned chalice and it will finish him (Odinga) politically," Wetangula stated.

Muthama accused the president of mocking the church and its leadership. "If you are doing this to push for Raila, then you have failed. Kenyans will not elect him," he said.

In his Sagana speech, the president asked the leadership of the church to show Kenyans direction instead of being excited by huge donations from politicians, which he said were proceeds of corruption.

The Kenya Kwanza leaders said that Ruto's government will stand for the common good of Kenyans, adding that proper strategies will be put in place to create employment for the Kenyan youth as well as empower small scale traders.

In Mathuki market, Ruto said that his agenda revolves around wealth- and employment-creation.