Wetang’ula defends KKA claim on election rigging
Kenya Kwanza Alliance (KKA) leaders yesterday took their campaigns to Deputy President William Ruto’s North Rift backyard where they sought to defend his United States tour and his remarks on a plot to rig the August presidential election.
Led by Ford Kenya chief Moses Wetang’ula, who attended a church service at St Mary’s Queen of Peace Catholic church in Osorongai Uasin Gishu, they defended Ruto’s claim of a scheme to influence the outcome of the August 9 poll.
Wetang’ula said KKA read sinister motives when members of the national government administration officers were allegedly included in the elections preparation team.
“Please pray for our country so that we have a free and fare election. Hiyo mpango wanapanga hawatafaulu (the election rigging plot will fail). IEBC has the constitutional mandate to manage elections and it has not solicited for any support from the provincial administration. Any unsolicited support to IEBC is unwarranted,” said the Bungoma senator.
He said the Deputy President’s overseas trip was meant to strengthen Kenya’s ties “with our friends abroad.”
Ruto has come under fire from his presidential race rival Raila Odinga’s allies over rigging remarks that he made at the Karson Institute for Race, Peace and Social Justice in Loyola University, Maryland.
Name calling
Azimio La Umoja politicians have told off the DP and dared him to record a statement about the alleged plot with relevant government agencies when he returns to Kenya.
Raila’s allies claim the DP had sensed defeat and was whipping up emotions to win the sympathy of the international community.
Yesterday, Ruto’a allies also criticised their Azimio La Umoja opponents whom they accused of having nothing to offer Kenyans, other than name-calling.
“They seem not to have anything tangible to tell Kenyans. Their main agenda is to mention the name of William Ruto and criticise his tour of the United States in their campaign rallies,” said Wetang’ula.
“Raila (Odinga) went to China and other Middle East countries but did we talk about it?” posed Wetang’ula.
The Kenya Kwanza team, which included MPs Caleb Kositany (Soy), Janet Sitienei (Turbo), Nelson Koech (Belgut), Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu Woman Rep) and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho) said theirs was the only outfit with an agenda for Kenya. They also drummed up support for Ruto’s bottom-up economic model.
Wetangula expressed optimism that they will win the next election and called on Kenyans to turn up in large numbers on election day and exercise their democratic right.
“Let’s shame our competitors with a landslide win so that they don’t have a chance to go to court, swear in themselves or request for a handshake,” said Wetang’ula.
Runaway insecurity
The leaders accused the government for turning a blind eye on runway insecurity in Kerio Valley which has left hundreds dead and many others displaced from their homes.
“For how long will innocent lives be lost for action to be taken? The lives which have been lost in the region are even more than all those that have been lost in terror attacks. Every part of Kenya is important. Every life matters,” said Senator Cheruiyot.
He attributed the confusion surrounding the proposed merger between Kalonzo Musyoka’s OKA and Raila’s Azimio to mistrust.
‘It’s a coalition of men who cannot keep their word. And I’m sure it will not stand the test of time,” he said.
Koech said Kenya Kwanza was not worried about the outcome of the August election.
“We don’t fear you beating us in an election.What we want is free and fare election,” said Koech who called on the electorate to vote out Rift Valley leaders who do not support Ruto.
