You won’t derail my State House bid, Ruto tells rivals
Harrison Kivisu
Deputy President William Ruto yesterday said he will not be derailed by what he described as politics of betrayal in his State House bid.
Ruto, who was on the fourth day of his extensive Coast tour, took issue with his opponents over their sustained onslaught to derail his presidential ambitions, promising them a tough political duel in 2022.
Addressing a crowd in Changamwe grounds, the DP said he will not succumb to political betrayal by individuals he supported to achieve their aspirations.
“In 2007, I campaigned for Raila Odinga until he became the Prime Minister. I also campaigned for President Uhuru Kenyatta until he became the Head of State.
Where is the problem when I say we want to help the people. Why are they bitter because of our plan to solve the problems Kenyans are facing?” posed Ruto.
On Saturday, when Ruto addressed a gathering at Kongowea market, he hinted at a plot to derail his State House bid.
In reference to the Mt Kenya Foundation meetings with Raila and One Kenya Alliance leaders, Ruto said some individuals are regrouping to strategise how they will block him.
“They are planning to stop us from going to State House, but they will know that we are an army of hustlers that cannot be stopped. We will teach them on the ballot,” said Ruto.
He pledged that when he captures power, his government will allocate Sh120 million in every constituency to support small businesses.
Corruption tag
Ruto, who has been fighting the corruption tag by opponents, said he will continue to help Kenyans even if they continue branding him names.
“When I assisted President Uhuru and Raila, I was a clean man. Now that I have declared my ambitions, I am branded a thief,”said Ruto.
But when addressing a political gathering at Alidina grounds in Jomvu, Ruto said his opponents are relying on sharing political positions to share power and that they have no agenda for Kenyans who are suffering due to tough economic times.
“Before they focus on changing the Constitution to share positions, they should know that millions of Kenyans and small businesses are suffering,” said Ruto.
At a stop over in Mikindani, the DP scoffed at those who are opposing the bottom-up economic model, terming them as enemies of empowerment.
“Some people are opposed to the bottom-up economic model because they want to continue suppressing the poor. This time, we must change tack,” he added.
Ruto said when elected, he will empower small economies and ensure small-scale farmers get value of their produce as well as create employment for the youth.
“They told us nobody can stop reggae, but because there is God in heaven reggae stopped.
We cannot continuously keep talking about sharing positions or changing Constitution, we should focus on issues that will solve the lives of many Kenyans,” the DP added.
Speaking at the same event, Nyali MP Mohamed Ali said the United Democratic Alliance economic revolution should not be underrated, as it will reclaim the lost economic glory of Mombasa county.
He slammed at ODM leadership, saying it is to blame for the economic woes the region is undergoing.
“The Orange party should know the people of Mombasa have woken up. They lured the people with rhetoric until the port business was taken away. We will not succumb to their rhetoric again,” said Ali.
Mombasa gubernatorial contestant Hassan Omar asked coastal people to elect Deputy President William Ruto owing to his vision on reviving the economy of the country.
Church service
Ruto was accompanied by MPs Owen Baya (Kilifi North), Paul Katana (Kaloleni), Benjamin Tayari (Kinango), Mvita MP aspirant Omar Shallo and Jomvu MP hopeful Karisa Nzai.
Earlier, Ruto attended a church service at the Redeemed Gospel Church, Jesus Healing Sanctuary - Mikindani, Jomvu constituency and Mombasa county, where he asked congregants to support his presidential bid.
“I am telling you what we can do. I am not a mad man, I am not a drunkard, these things I am telling you can be achieved if we win the elections,” said Ruto.
Ruto will hold a meeting with Coast region leaders today at the Wild Waters centre before proceeding to Kilifi county.
In his Kilifi tour, the DP is scheduled to meet small-scale traders and boda boda Sacco in Rabai town at 10am before proceeding to Kaloleni center for another meeting with small-scale traders and boda boda riders.
He will then proceed to Malindi town to meet Beach operators.
The DP will tour Mpeketoni in Lamu county tomorrow to meet women groups,boda boda operators and later proceed to Mkunguni, Lamu Island, Lamu East then to Kizingitini and Lamu East sub-county where he will empower beach operators.
