Claims of a***********n dangerous, Ruto w*rns
Deputy President William Ruto yesterday waded into the storm triggered by claims of an alleged assassination attempt targeting President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Ruto, who was named in the alleged assassination attempt on the President, warned politicians against making reckless utterances which might destabilise the country.
Speaking at St John Catholic Church in Igembe South, Meru County yesterday, the DP said unsubstantiated remarks and allegations by some politicians could easily fuel divisions and plunge the country into turmoil.
Ruto urged leaders to be careful about what they say in public.
“I am calling on all leaders and politicians to be careful about what comes out of their mouths because careless and reckless utterances may cost the country a lot by bringing hatred and division ahead of the General Election,” he said.
The DP, who was accompanied by Kenya Kwanza Alliance principals Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford-Kenya Moses Wetang’ula and a number of legislators was, reacting to remarks by controversial politician Stanley Livondo who claimed there had been an attempt on the President’s life in the past.
Livondo made the allegations at Thika Stadium during a thanksgiving ceremony organised by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria who recently returned from India where he had been receiving treatment for the last three months.
Track record
Yesterday, Kuria distanced himself from the remarks and asked the Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti to investigate Livondo.
“As the convener of the thanksgiving prayer meeting in Thika, I may not be responsible for what speakers said but it was my meeting and I have to take responsibility. I have today requested @DCI_Kenya boss George Kinoti to arrest Stanley Livondo following his reckless statement,” said Kuria.
In Meru, Ruto said nobody would be elected on account of how much noise they make but what track record they hold.
“Kenyans will not be fooled by empty, unnecessary noise and utterances aimed at tainting one’s image some leaders are making but they will elect their preferred credible candidate no matter what,” he said.
He further urged leaders to focus on selling their manifestos and agenda instead of fueling and creating hatred among political opponents.
“No need of mudslinging each other by telling lies. Let us all meet in the field and embrace peaceful campaigns and allow Kenyans to choose their leaders because the unity of the nation is bigger than any person,” added the DP.
He asked religious leaders to pray for such leaders for the sake of a peaceful nation.
At same time, Ruto accused ODM leader Raila Odinga of relying on Uhuru to win this year’s election.
Addressing different rallies in Meru County at the weekend, Ruto claimed Raila cannot win an election.
Kenya Kwanza leaders dared the former Prime Minister to face them on his own and not seek Uhuru’s support.
“We wonder why he is clinging on to President Kenyatta. I am asking him to come out and face me and stop hiding behind another man. He should be ashamed hiding under the legacy we have achieved with my boss when we formed the Jubilee government,” said Ruto.
He accused the ODM leader of being an enemy of the Jubilee government.
“I wonder how someone who has never supported Uhuru and Jubilee government now has become the preferred candidate of the President,” said Ruto.
Heavy load
He further asked the President not to impose a candidate on Kenyans and instead allow the electorate to vote for whoever they prefer.
“Kenyans are not short of leaders so that Raila is imposed on them... they can decide for themselves, let Raila come alone and I assure him that I will send him home very early,” said the DP.
Speaking at Kiutine and Kanuni in Igembe Central and South, respectively, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi urged Kenyans not to vote for Raila, saying he was unfit to head the country.
He said Kenya Kwanza Alliance had a realistic agenda and plans to revive the nation’s economy.
“I was in the same camp with the ODM leader in 2013 and 2017 and I can clearly say he is unfit and he has no tangible agenda for the nation,” said Mudavadi.
He described that Raila is a “heavy load” that none can carry, claiming that when they supported him with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka they lost their political track.
“Raila is heavy, you cannot carry him, thank our President for agreeing to take the load. Actually we have been with him and we know what we are saying when we say he cannot lead the nation,” added Mudavadi.
