Ruto brigade confronts opposition in Eldoret

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula leads Kenya Kwanza politicians to a rally at Silverline, Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County. [@HonWetangula, X]

President William Ruto’s brigade yesterday stormed Eldoret City, momentarily closing Oginga Odinga street and intersections of Nandi and Kisumu roads as they vowed to defend the President from what they termed as an onslaught from the opposition out to discredit his development record.

At least 15 MPs, led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula lashed out at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, saying they had no scorecard with which to defeat Ruto next year.

Wetang’ula said Ruto’s home turf should protect the President from the attacks launched by opposition to paint him (Ruto) as a failure.

“No one should declare Ruto a one-term President. The scorecard will be assessed by Kenyans. Agriculture improved, the Port of Mombasa is working and Eldoret is now a city,” the speaker said at the rally.

National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah said UDA’s campaign for next year’s elections has officially kicked off.

According to Ichung’wah, Mount Kenya region will not rally behind Gachagua because he “thrives in ethnic politics.”

He said Ruto had unveiled mega projects across the country and should earn a second term to continue developing the nation.

“Rironi-Mau Summit-Malava road is underway. We are here to tell you that Ruto will secure a second term. The opposition has no track record and can’t compete with Ruto. We are saying two terms for Ruto so that we continue transforming the country,” Ichung’wah said.

Senate majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot said Ruto campaign machinery was getting ready for a bruising political battle.

Cheruiyot said Gachagua had no power to teach Ruto political lessons.

“The opposition thought we had forgotten how to run campaigns. The broad-based team has not even started. When they turn on the engine, you will face defeat. Gachagua can’t teach Ruto any political lesson,” the majority leader said, adding that Kenya Kwanza has a strong squad to defend Ruto.

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko warned the opposition to be ready to nurse political injuries in the upcoming elections.

Mboko said ODM Party leader the late Raila Odinga asked his allies to partner with the Ruto administration.

“Ruto is a sober leader and that is why he was invited to  the G7 summit in France last month. More than 31 million Kenyans are registered under SHA and it is not a scam as claimed,” said Mboko.

She further said: “Opposition zones such as Nyanza and Coast had been marginalised by previous administrations and are getting development projects under Ruto’s leadership. Gachagua is taking sabbatical leave because he has felt the heat from Kenya Kwanza. Kalonzo has no agenda. He did not initiate projects in his backyard, yet he was in power for over 40 years.”

She said the broad-based team was launching vigorous campaigns to help Ruto increase his winning margin from 200,000 votes in 2022 to at least one million in 2027.

Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse said Gachagua will not ascend to any elective position in future after his impeachment in 2024.

“Ruto has many followers and we had heard that the support in Eldoret was waning. Don’t waste time with Gachagua, the law doesn’t allow him to contest any elective position,” Mutuse said at the rally organised by Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet.

Nandi woman representative Cynthia Muge said broad-based MPs will be campaigning for Ruto every Friday and weekends.

“We will be in Parliament from Monday to Thursday but we will be campaigning from Friday through the weekend,” she said.

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, John Bwire (Taveta), Tindi Mwale (Butere) and Phyllis Bartoo (Moiben) were among Ruto allies who addressed the Eldoret rally.