Azimio has nothing to offer Kenyans, says Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto yesterday asked Kenyans not to gamble with their future by voting for Azimio-One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga, saying he has nothing to offer.

Ruto said there is a huge disconnect between the Azimio-One Kenya alliance and ordinary Kenyans.

The Kenya Kwanza presidential hopeful accused his opponents of making empty promises. 

“We cannot gamble with these Azimio guys, they are taking us back to the 1960s,” he said.

While speaking at Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) church in Karaba Mbeere South in Embu, Ruto also urged the church to pray for politicians and the country as the official campaign period kicks off.

He said the church plays a major role in the leadership of the country.

Ruto said if elected president, he would strengthen the bond between the government and the church. He expressed confidence that the Kenya Kwanza Alliance would win the General-Election.

Peaceful campaigns

ACK Bishop in Mbeere Moses Masamba urged the leaders to embrace the spirit of forgiveness. He urged leaders to conduct peaceful campaigns.

Nominated MP Cecily Mbarire asked Ruto to prioritise water challenges in Mbeere South if he wins the August 9 election. “Mbeere South has suffered a big challenge in terms of water shortage, they need water,” she said.

Others who accompanied Ruto included his running-mate Rigathi Gachagua, Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi, MPs Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu), Geoffrey King’ang’i (Mbeere South), Muriuki Njagagua (Mbeere North), Meru Senator Kithure Kindiki and Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi among other leaders.

Ruto later campaigned in various parts of Kirinyaga county. 

Meanwhile, a row is looming in the Deputy President William Ruto’s Rift Valley backyard after his Kenya Kwanza brigade told residents to vote “six-piece” in the August 9 election.

The move has not gone down well with independent candidates in the region who lost in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) primaries but are supporting  Ruto’s presidential candidature.

The independents yesterday warned that Ruto risks losing millions of votes as they too have supporters.

Most of the independents have complained that the UDA primaries held in April were not free and fair and were marred by massive irregularities.

Among those who have expressed reservations over the party’s directive is Eldama Ravine MP Moses Lessonet and Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis. 

Both are running for Baringo governor as independents. They lost in the UDA primaries to former governor Benjamin Cheboi.

“Those advocating for six-piece vote are enemies of DP Ruto,” said Lessonet.

On the receiving end

Lessonet said Baringo county is not entirely a UDA zone as there are supporters of other parties like Kanu and Kenya Union Party (KUP) whose supporters are willing to vote for Ruto but support candidates of other parties running for other seats.

He cited counties where Ruto risks losing thousands of votes as Baringo, Nakuru and Nandi counties.

Lessonet and governor Kiptis were on the receiving end during the recent tour of the county by Kenya Kwanza team led by Ruto’s running-mate Rigathi Gachagua.

People Daily has established that Kenya Kwanza is uncomfortable with independents whom they feel are riding on the DP’s popularity in the region to clinch seats in August at the expense of candidates who won in the party primaries.

Some independent candidates did not participate in the UDA primaries for fear they would be short-changed.

This is the case in Kesses and Moiben constituencies where MPs Swarup Mishra and Silas Tiren opted to run as independents. Mishra will face off with Julius Ruto while Tiren will compete with Phyllis Bartoo, both of UDA.