I haven’t forced Kiunjuri, Kuria to fold their parties and join UDA – Ruto
Deputy President William Ruto has said he did not tell Mwangi Kiunjuri and Moses Kuria to fold their parties and join his United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Ruto said he was focused on building UDA as a national party and did not want to force anyone to disband their parties and join his outfit.
"If you ask Mwangi Kiunjuri or Moses Kuria, they will tell you I have never told anyone to disband their parties for UDA. I have reasons for popularizing UDA countrywide and I do not have a problem forming a coalition with any party.
"What I'm opposed to is someone telling me not to promote UDA in their region. Like right now, I'm telling Musalia Mudavadi to support me and I'm marketing UDA in his home in Mbale," Ruto said when he appeared on Citizen TV on Tuesday evening.
Kiunjuri, who last year launched his The Service Party (TSP), has in many occasions accused Ruto of refusing to accommodate regional parties.
Kiunjuri said he learnt a lot when Jubilee Party begun mistreating some of its members including DP Ruto.
"We've seen what can happen when we are all put in one party. We don't want to repeat what is happening in Jubilee," Kiunjuri said.
Kiunjuri, who was seen as a possible Ruto's running mate in 2022, is said to be vying for Laikipia East parliamentary seat in 2022.
Kuria on the other hand refused to join UDA and formed his Chama Cha Kazi party.
The outfit recently came second in Kiagu Ward by-election in Meru where UDA candidate won.
