DP William Ruto promises free, fair primaries, says new party about national unity

NAKURU: The soon-to-be launched Jubilee Party (JP) has no preferred candidates and will not endorse anyone as this would be undemocratic, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

In a move to appease some leaders who have started grumbling that some politicians may get preferential treatment, Ruto said the new outfit would conduct free and fair primaries.

The Deputy President said those who want to vie for seats should present themselves to voters.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta and I do not have preferred candidates. All candidates will be selected by citizens through party nominations,” he said.

Ruto told off those who claimed they had the President’s endorsement.

“Let no one cheat you that they have the endorsement of President Uhuru Kenyatta or William Ruto because we do not believe in endorsements. It is undemocratic,” he said.

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The Deputy President spoke at Kongasis Primary School where he addressed wananchi after launching a Last Mile electricity project that connects schools to the national grid. Ruto insisted that plans to merge several parties allied to the Jubilee coalition to form a formidable political outfit was designed to unite the country.

The amalgamation of the parties to form Jubilee Party has faced fierce resistance from some Jubilee politicians, especially from the Ruto-led United Republican Party.

Speaking earlier at the funeral of former Nakuru Mayor DK Kanyi in Ngorika village, Ol Kalou constituency, Ruto said political competition should be driven by sound ideology.

“Parties allied to Jubilee have agreed to form one party, which will unite all communities and champion development projects,”  he said.

The DP told mourners that like the late Kanyi and other nationalists who were driven by a desire   to see a united Kenya, the Jubilee administration would work towards building  a prosperous nation.

“It is our responsibility as leaders to retrace our steps and build a country which all Kenyans are proud of. The formation of JP is not about winning elections,” said Mr Ruto.

He went on:“If it was about winning an election, we did that in 2013 when we were TNA, URP and other parties. But now we want to build a united country,” he said.

Honest leader

“The formation of JP is unstoppable. We need to unite our country and that can be done if we integrate small parties allied with the government to form a formidable outfit,” Ruto said.

The DP eulogised the late Kanyi and said he fought  the people of Nakuru when he served as  mayor between 1980 and 1988.

“He was an honest leader who worked hard and achieved much success doing small business and eventually became an entrepreneur of repute,” he said.

Kanyi died on July 29 at Nairobi Hospital where he was undergoing treatment. President Kenyatta also sent a message of condolence   to the family.

“Mzee Kanyi believed and cherished family values. He was generous and a man of great courage. He was always ready to defend the truth,” said the Head of State in a tribute read by his deputy.

Present during the funeral were Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua, his deputy Joseph Ruto, Nyandarua deputy governor Waithaka Mwangi, Nakuru Speaker Susan Kihika and nominated senator Liz Chelule.

Others present were MPs Mary Mbugua (Nakuru County), David Gikaria (Nakuru town East), David Kiaraho Njuguna ( Ol-Kalou), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati) and John Muchiri Nyaga (Manyatta).