William Ruto warns against tribal parties

Deputy President William Ruto has accused his competitors of actively dividing the country along tribal lines by promoting regional and tribal parties .

In utterances directed to ODM’s Raila Odinga, the DP said the formation of small parties would whip up emotions.

He spoke in Narok County as Mr Odinga announced his presidential candidature during Azimio la Umoja event at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

"You cannot talk about unity of a nation when you are actively dividing the country along ethnic lines. It’s a contradiction; it’s deceitful for anybody tell us this is the way to unite Kenyans,” said the DP who was speaking during a church service at Sasimwa Covenant Church International (CCI) in Oloropil village in Narok North yesterday.

“As UDA, we believe we have a national political party that brings communities together. We challenge our competitors to be honest to the people, you cannot preach water and drink wine,” he added. 

He was accompanied by MPs Aden Duale (Garissa Township), Ken Kiloku (Narok East), Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West),Soipan Kudate (Women rep), Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu) and Narok Woman rep aspirant Rebecca Tonkei. He said that he had worked harder to conserve Mau Forest, noting it should be taken care of by all costs.

He dismissed claims peddled by his opponents that if he ascends to the presidency, evictees will return back to forest.

“Our opponents should now look for another agenda to use when they are in Narok because the Mau issue is a gone case. The illegal settlers have been removed from the forest to pave way for the restoration of the biggest water catchment area,” said Dr Ruto.

Reject ‘regional parties’

He challenged his opponents to show their track records when they held different leadership positions in government.

"Those aspiring for the presidency have been in elective posts in the past and their records leave a lot to be desired. “

Mr Duale said that the reason why Narok North lags in development is because they have been “opting for leaders who are not in government”.

"You have no roads because your MP, Moitalel ole Kenta has remained in the opposition. Politics is not love, it is about interest of your people, it’s give and take,”.

Later, addressing a political rally in Lodwar, Turkana County, the DP asked the public to reject ‘regional parties’ noting that only a party with a national outlook can unite the nation. 

“Be very careful with these hypocritical leaders,” he added. 

Saying that he is sure of winning the 2022 race, the DP fired a warning shot to his competitors that his team will not allow Kenyans to be divided. 

Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok hit at Mount Kenya Foundation (MKF) for endorsing Mr Odinga for the country’s top seat, saying that Kenyans will choose for themselves their leader without influence of few selfish persons. 

Additional reporting by Onyango K’Onyango; Sammy Lutta