Deputy President William Ruto has dared his allies from Mt Kenya supporting his 2022 bid, but still in other smaller political parties to fold their respective outfits and join UDA or bolt out of his team.
Speaking in Uasin Gishu county yesterday, Ruto said he will not enter into any discussions with small parties reflecting regional outlooks and that he was building a direct coalition with the people.
”Some people want to take us back to the era of tribal political parties. They want ethnic communities to be under small parties instead of parties with a national outlook. Days of tribal politics are long gone. I want the hustler nation to join a political party that understands the language of small traders, boda boda operators, peasant farmers, and ordinary mwananchi,” the DP said at his Sugoi home when he met a delegation of grassroots leaders from Bungoma County.
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His remarks were supported by leaders present, among them Governor Jackson Mandago, MPs John Waluke (Sirisia), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Mwambu Mabonga (Bumula), and Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East).
Others were Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon), Caleb Kositany (Soy), Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), John Njuguna (Kiambaa), and former Senator Bonny Khalwale.
DP Ruto’s remarks are coming at a time when his allies from Mt Kenya like Moses Kuria and Mwangi Kiunjuri, who are leading Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) and The Service Party (TSP) respectively, insist they will not fold their parties and are determined to go all the way to the ballot by fielding candidates across the vote-rich region.
