A day after the ruling Jubilee Party threatened to remove him from the deputy leader position, Deputy President William Ruto has warned his opponents of a bruising battle from the ‘hustler’ nation.
Jubilee on Monday recommended Dr Ruto’s removal from that position for what it said was an attempted power-grab after he stormed the party's Pangani headquarters with over 30 MPs.
Secretary-General Raphael Tuju also said it is no longer tenable for the DP to use the party platform to advance his divisive 'hustler' politics, which is counter to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s agenda of uniting the country and fighting corruption.
But in Bahati, Nakuru County, on Saturday, Dr Ruto dared his opponents to proceed with their plans against him. He told them to prepare to deal with the wrath of poor Kenyans seeking empowerment.
The DP said he will not be cowed by the decision to lock him out of Jubilee’s headquarters as "the ‘hustler’ nation is not interested in the politics of power-sharing".
Deputy President William Ruto dances with the leaders who accompanied him to a function in Bahati, Nakuru County, on October 3, 2020, at which he gave motorcycles to youths.
Photo credit: Richard Maosi | Nation Media Group
The DP further said the move will not stop a new conversation by ordinary citizens who want to take over national government come the 2022 General Election.
He said a movement of ordinary Kenyans is already forming and that no amount of intimidation by the political class will stop it.
“I have heard some people saying they do not want ‘hustlers’ at the Jubilee headquarters. It is okay, but the conversation on the empowerment of poor Kenyans is unstoppable. All the noises you are hearing are because the country is experiencing labour pains. We are in the process of delivering a new conversation in Kenya,” he said.
The DP further took a swipe at those opposed to his activities around the country, which have been seen as premature campaigns for the 2022 poll, saying he is giving the direction Kenya needs to save its citizens from poverty.
“We have been planning politics from the top but this time round we are going to do it from the bottom. The conversation about wheelbarrows, motorcycles and ordinary business is what we need now to solve our empowerment problem,” he said.
DP Ruto further criticised his opponents, saying they are afraid of the poor and that this is the reason they are opposed to his cash donations.
He argued that ordinary Kenyans need to be empowered with ordinary jobs and businesses, which will keep them busy.
Deputy President William Ruto and Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok during a meeting with Turkana elders in Bahati, Nakuru County on October 3, 2020.
Photo credit: Richard Maosi | Nation Media Group
Dr Ruto issued the remarks during a tour of Bahati, where he was hosted by area MP Kimani Ngunjiri.
Accompanied by Turkana Governor Joseph Nanok, he met elders from the Turkan community living in the area and promised to see squatters resettled before the end of the year.
At the meeting, DP Ruto’s allies claimed Mr Tuju is being used by the Opposition to divide Jubilee.
While assuring Dr Ruto of unwavering support, Mr Ngunjiri vowed that leaders will fight for their place in the party.
“We request you to remain as humble as you have been and leave the fight to us. This is not a battle for you alone but for the entire ‘hustler’ nation,” he said in his address.
