Ruto finds refuge outside ODM

Suspended Higher Education minister William Ruto on Friday said that he has identified a party with national outlook that will be his platform for the 2012 presidential race.

The Eldoret North MP said has managed to bring on board people across various voting blocs into the party, adding that the team is now ready to hit the campaign trail.

Mr Ruto however refrained from unveiling the identity of the party until an "opportune time", but added a rider that his supporters already know their next home.

“I know you already know the party… I just want to tell you that I am very ready for the race. I am not going to turn back,” he said. Mr Ruto made the remarks when he visited mau evictees at Kapkembu area in Kuresoi constituency.

He said that he will surmount the hurdles that have been planted on his path by his rivals whom he claimed were scared of him.

He was accompanied by MPs Charles Keter, Benjamin Lang’at, Zakayo Cheruiyot, Dr Julius Kones and Boaz Kaino. The legislators had organized a free medical clinic in the camp where they also donated clothing and foodstuff.

Mr Ruto has not officially relinquished his position as the ODM deputy leader, although he has publicly broken ranks with his party boss PM Raila Odinga whom he accuses of political backstabbing.

According to Mr Ruto, his rivals were using ICC Prosecutor Louis Moreno Ocampo in a smear campaign meant to lock him out of the presidential race.

“I want to tell them that there is no where I am going. I will be here in 2012 and we will meet at the ballot,” Ruto said.

He said that he doesn’t fear facing Mr Ocampo at the ICC because he is innocent.

“I went there recently and came back. I will go again if needed and I will come back because I have done nothing wrong,” he added.

He continued his attack on the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, singling out Commissioner Hassan Omar Hassan whom he said had abdicated its duty and was playing politics in the pretext of justice for post election violence victims.

“We decided to go to The Hague because we knew very well that the local tribunal was going to be used to settle political scores. It is unfortunate that Ocampo has gotten himself into this trap,” he asserted.

In a stinging attack on the Mr Ocampo the legislator said that the prosecutor has failed to carry out independent investigations as required by the law.

“He is not looking for the truth but he is playing politics having ganged up with local brokers like Omar to satisfy political interests,” he said.