DP Ruto urges forgiveness, sees fair elections in 2017
Deputy President William Ruto (left) converses with Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung'aro during a leaders' meeting held at Pwani University on January 2, 2016. Mr Ruto said on January 7, 2016 that it is the democratic right of Kenyans to elect leaders of their choice without intimidation. PHOTO | DANIEL ONYANCHA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Mr Ruto insisted that those preaching violence whether in Jubilee or in the Opposition should be subjected to the due process of law.
He urged communities that were in conflict after the 2007 General Election to forgive each other.
Deputy President William Ruto has pushed for reconciliation and assured Kenyans that the General Election next year will be free, fair and peaceful, dismissing Cord leaders' claims of a plot to rig the poll.
He said those perpetuating the allegations were engaging in propaganda that is informed by fear of losing the elections.
“All these claims you hear about rigging and violence is nothing but propaganda by people who are losing support and Kenyans must ignore them. We do not want to engage in divisive politics. We want to create peace and stability for our country,” he said.
Mr Ruto insisted that those preaching violence whether in Jubilee or in the Opposition should be subjected to the due process of law. The Deputy President said it is the democratic right of Kenyans to elect leaders of their choice without intimidation.
Additionally, addressing leaders from Kisii and Nyamira counties who called on him at his Sugoi home in Uasin Gishu County on Thursday, Mr Ruto urged communities that were in conflict after the 2007 General Election to forgive each other.
UNIFYING PARTY
How to promote peace, he said, is by joining the Jubilee Party, which will unite all ethnic groups.
“As Kenyans, we should support peace initiatives and reconciliation. We can do this by uniting our people through a party with a national outlook and that is Jubilee Party,” said Mr Ruto, adding "there is no community or religion that is in Kenya by mistake. All of us are here by God’s wish and we should regard each other as brothers and sisters.”
The leaders in attendance were MPs Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Masaba), Stephen Manoti (Bobasi), Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache-South), Elijah Monda (Nyaribari Masaba) Richard Tongi (Nyaribari Chache), Zebedeo Opore (Bonchari), Hosea Ochwang (nominated senator), Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi and Joel Onyancha (Bomachoge Borabu).
Others were Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Elisha Busienei (Turbo), Isaac Melly (Uasin Gishu) and governors Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu) and William Kabogo (Kiambu).
Mr Onyonka said the Gusii leadership will mobilize their constituents to embrace the new Jubilee Party for the sake of peace and development.
“As a community we want to assure you that we will not be left behind. We are ready to embrace the new Jubilee Party," Mr Onyonka said.
