Ruto, Mudavadi union spells out their new agenda
Deputy President William Ruto, Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetangula yesterday formally announced their political union to be called the Kenya Kwanza Coalition.
The three, who held their first rally at the Nakuru ASK grounds that attracted a mammoth crowd, affirmed their commitment to work together “to liberate the country from State capture.”
They accused President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga of propagating divisive politics under their Azimio La Umoja movement, saying their new-found unity was aimed at resuscitating the country’s economy.
Finish the journey
Ruto said that yesterday’s meeting was reminiscent of the historic 2012 Handshake between him and Uhuru at the Afraha Stadium in Nakuru.
“We came here with my brother (Uhuru) to seek your blessings when the country was deeply drowning in tribal politics and we all agreed in one accord that the country will never fall into divisions and clashes,” said Ruto.
Mudavadi, who was accorded the honour of Chief Guest in the tour of Ruto’s Rift Valley backyard, criticised Uhuru over his Tuesday remarks that he was disappointed with the ANC boss for opting to work with the Deputy President instead of Raila.
He told the gathering that the President should not blame him for the “ills” facing the country and for not supporting his “political project.”
“Mr President, you have a right to be disappointed with me. But, I want to tell you Kenyans are even more disappointed in you. They are hungry, they are tired. Let’s not lie to each other,” he said.
He added:” We want to change Kenya, democracy to be enshrined and have the freedom of choosing friends and not be forced to support projects. We will not accept government projects in politics. There are so many stalled government projects, Azimio is another stalled project.”
Mudavadi said he should not be entangled in the President’s disagreement with Ruto.
“If Uhuru has disagreements with his deputy, he should not force us to also be enemies. We shall walk with Ruto to better the lives of Kenyans. The law allows us to interact with all our friends and whoever we want,” he added.
Mudavadi also took issue with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his Kanu counterpart Gideon Moi over their walkout during the ANC party delegates conference at Bomas of Kenya last Sunday.
“At my party conference last weekend, others saw Ruto and ran away. We wanted to show Kenyans that the people are the ones to decide and ready to build a united country by working with all leaders whom our ideals converge,” he said.
“My ideals and Ruto’s are in tandem and that is why we have come together. Kenyans are angry, Kenyans are hungry, Kenyans are jobless. Kenyans are tired. Kenya (should come) first.”
Ruto said that the coming together of the three parties of UDA, ANC and Ford Kenya was the beginning of their journey to the presidency and called on Kenyans to walk with him to create the next government.
“Nakuru people, your prayers allowed the Jubilee administration to take office in 2013 and I want to say a big thank you, let us finish the journey together and ensure all Kenyans are on board with our ideologies,” he added.
Ruto said the team of him, Mudavadi and Wetangula has a good plan for the country, adding that it is made of kingmakers for Uhuru and Raila in the past.
Selfish needs
He applauded the two leaders for serving Kenyan politics with “a real earthquake”. “Mudavadi passionately spoke about the country and not his selfish needs and that’s what we want, we need to forge unity and solve the problems of the country; other leaders need to come and unite to move Kenya forward,” he said.
He questioned those criticising Mudavadai’s move, saying the ANC leader only spoke about corruption and job creation for the masses and allowing the country to be self-reliant.
“My team’s agenda is not to change the Constitution but to focus on the economy to kick out poverty; our competitors are hell bent on creating positions for themselves and leave out other Kenyans,” said Ruto.
Before landing in Nakuru, the Kenya Kwanza Coalition principals addressed a gathering in Eldama Ravine to drum up support for their union. The DP used the occasion to receive former Cabinet ministers Musa Sirma, Prof. Hellen Sambili and Keroche Breweries owner Tabitha Karanja to his camp. The brewer will vie for the Nakuru Senate seat.
The DP hailed his bottom-up economic model, saying his government plans to inject Sh100 billion to critical institutions to create employment, adding that Kenyan youths do not want handouts.
Mudavadi labelled the One Kenya Alliance OKA leaders as “cowards” for staging a walk out during his party NDC, saying Wetangula was the “only man standing”and urged them to rethink their move.
He said their coalition with Ruto is set to change the fortunes of Kenyans.
“Treasury should explain why the Sh9 trillion debt ceiling has gone up to Sh11 trillion without MPs’ approval.
Wetangula said the country had been reborn, noting that their coming together was for the country’s best interests.
He said the country being dependent on agriculture, fertiliser prices needed to come down, adding that the next government will be farmer-centred.
