Ruto launches URP for presidency

Eldoret North MP William Ruto on Thursday launched the party he will use to vie for the presidency after he ditched United Democratic Movement on Monday. 

The United Republican Party (URP), whose slogan is ‘Sema na Utende’ (Say and Do) was unveiled at Serena Hotel in Nairobi.

The party, whose headquarters will be at the former UDM offices in Lavington, Nairobi, brings together rebel ODM MPs and other leaders including Trade Minister Chirau Mwakwere, Turkana Central MP Ekwee Ethuro, his Wajir South MP Mohammed Sirat and Mr Cyrus Jirongo of Lugari.

“From today henceforth we shall be distinguished from all others by our unique identity as Republicans of Kenya,” they declared in a statement read by Mr Ethuro.

“The changes were necessitated by challenges we faced as we tried to join the UDM. A few of the UDM officials were unwilling to accommodate the changes that came with the apparent interest by our supporters,” he said.

The MP said it became apparent that UDM was infiltrated by external forces that “were out to cripple the party by all means by refusing our suggestion to have a democratically elected governing body.” (READ: Ruto blames ‘external forces’ for UDM woes)

And they had a message for their former party and their perceived backers: “although our competitors intended to harm us, we have today established a vibrant and people-centred political party that denotes a fresh start that we yearn for.”

In what echoes what the ‘No’ campaign stood for during the 2010 referendum on the Constitution, Mr Ethuro said the party respects the family as the basic unit of the nation.

“We subscribe to the family values based on African principles, especially marriage being between man and woman and the sanctity of life from conception,” said Mr Ethuro.

The nascent party is set to hold a launch-cum-recruitment drive on Sunday at the Bomas of Kenya.

Mr Ruto, who sat between Mr Ethuro and Mr Mwakwere, did not speak to the press and questions addressed to him were answered by Mr Duale, the party spokesman.

Mr Ruto rushed to register the new party which has been issued with a provisional certificate, after it emerged that time was running out for him to put his house in order in his quest for presidency.