DP William Ruto woos Kalonzo Musyoka to Kenya Kwanza regime after polls

Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate William Ruto addresses supporters in Kitui County. [DPPS]

Deputy President William Ruto hit out at Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga for failing to name Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as his running mate.

He also promised to work with Kalonzo should Kenya Kwanza Alliance win the August 9 presidential poll.

“Kalonzo has stood with him (Raila) since 2013 and it was a mockery for Raila to subject Kalonzo to any form of an interview. Imagine someone asking Kalonzo, what’s your name, your education level, and in the end, you conclude he has failed. This was ridicule to this community, and I assure you if I win, I will absorb him into my government,” he said.

“Now he (Raila) has promised to support Kalonzo in 2037 which is a lie. Years will have gone,” he added.

The DP who concluded his two-day tour of Ukambani, on Wednesday addressed rallies at Sultan Hamud, Makindu and Kyumani shopping centre in Masongaleni ward, Kibwezi East. 

Ruto accused the government of allegedly forcing local administrators to campaign for Raila. He told administrators to maintain neutrality in national and local politics.

“Assistant chiefs, chiefs, and county commissioners are not Azimio employees. It is not your work to do campaigns for them. Your work is for these Kenyans and it is against the law to force them to run errands for any political party. Azimio must look for their own boys and girls to sell their failed project,” Ruto said.

He further urged the administrators to stand firm and never compromise the law but organise the security of the nation.

“Serve Kenyans equally and if these people have no campaigners let us meet at the ballot so that we can send them home,” he said.

Ruto asked Ukambani voters to rally behind Kenya Kwanza. He was hosted by Kibwezi West UDA candidate James Mbaluka, who said Raila said had greatly changed after the handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“The Raila we had in 2013 and 2017 is different from the one we have now. Raila who is accepting Kenyans to suffer is not the one we used to know. Let’s change as a region and vote Ruto,” he said.

Others present were governors Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Amason Kingi (Kilifi), and Laikipia Woman Rep Cate Waruguru among others.

“You are deceiving Kenyans that you have spoken with Uhuru Kenyatta for maize flour prices to go down, what were you doing until prices of basic commodities went up? You want to reduce price of maize flour for you to be elected and once you’re in office prices go up again,” Ruto said.

Dr Mutua said electing Raila would be extending President Kenyatta’s leadership which has allegedly caused Kenyans more suffering.

“Uhuru is chairperson of Azimio and Raila can’t make any decision without his directions. Electing Raila is extending his (Uhuru) leadership,” he said.

Kingi said doing politics with basic commodities had left poor Kenyans poorer.

“This price decrease is a bait to lure Kenyans and after that, the prices will rise again,” he said at Makindu. Later, Ruto addressed rallies in Voi, Taveta town and Ukunda.