Cord has no agenda for Kenya, says Ruto

United Republican Party (URP) leader William Ruto has dismissed a rival coalition saying it has no agenda for the country.

Mr Ruto said the Coalition for Reform and Democracy (Cord) fronted by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga, Wiper Democratic movement (Wiper) leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Ford Kenya's Moses Wetangula was obsessed with the past and has nothing new to offer Kenyans.

“Their (Cord) thinking is to deal with the past, because they belong in the past and have no agenda for this country,” said Mr Ruto during a function in Ololunga, Narok County Thursday.

"Our competitors have been the government for more than 20 years, and recently as vice president and prime minister, in the cabinet and they failed to deliver. What they will offer Kenyans when they are elected to office next year?" he posed.

Mr Ruto, who was accompanied by Communications minister Samuel Poghisio and URP chairman Francis Ole Kaparo, accused Cord leaders of lacking ideas especially on farming, farm inputs infrastructure and ways to grow the economy.

"The next General Election will be a contest of issues and not empty rhetoric aimed at tarnishing other people’s reputation,” said Mr Ruto.

The Eldoret North MP said the Jubilee Alliance, comprising URP, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta's The National Alliance (TNA) and Musalia Mudavadi's United Democratic Forum (UDF), was more than ready to face Cord in the next General Election.

He said the difference between Jubilee and Cord was like “day and night”.

He said a Jubilee government will tackle economic growth and youth unemployment.

"Our competitors have proposed to tax farmers land as a means to improve the economy, we in the jubilee coalition will reduce the prices of fertilisers, farm inputs to improve the economy.

"You can't burden farmers while they are the ones who provide food to the country,” said Mr Ruto.