I’m in ODM to stay, Ruto declares
Mr Isaac Ruto. Photo/FILE
Rebel ODM MP Isaac Ruto has stated that he has not defected from the party but said he had no apologies to make for supporting a rival party’s candidate in the just-concluded Sotik by-election.
“I am still a bonafide member of ODM. I have no plans of ditching the party in the immediate future. If I wanted to, I would have done so a long time ago. I don’t fear to seek a fresh mandate but I am yet to have a credible reason to do so,” he told the Sunday Nation on Sunday.
The MP defied his party and vigorously campaigned for Brigadier Alexander Sitienei of UDM against Dr Joyce Laboso of ODM who emerged the winner.
Dr Laboso garnered 24,267 votes to Brigadier Sitienei’s 13,973. The Sotik seat fell vacant following the death in a plane crash of Lorna Laboso which also claimed the life of Bomet MP and Minister for Roads Kipkalya Kones.
Justifying his decision to support the UDM candidate, Mr Ruto said he believed Brigadier Sitienei was a better candidate. Nonetheless, he said that he recognised the new MP.
“The people of Sotik spoke and I respect their decision,” he said.
