Ruto, Khalwale clash over Jubilee forays in western

Deputy President William Ruto (DP) and Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale on Thursday differed over the campaigns by Jubilee Party to win support in western Kenya.

The DP accused Dr Khalwale of spreading propaganda about the party and engaging in divisive politics.

“I want to tell Khalwale that Jubilee Party is not about communities from Rift Valley and central Kenya. Our plan is to form a formidable political vehicle for uniting all Kenyans,” said Mr Ruto.

He was speaking at the Ematia Secondary School in Kakamega during the Butsotso Cultural Festival.

The DP was accompanied by Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa.

Mr Ruto was reacting to remarks by Dr Khalwale that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy should stop dreaming winning support in western Kenya for Jubilee to clinch power in 2017.

The senator said Luhyas would not be fooled by some of their MPs who had abandoned their parties for Jubilee for personal gain.

He asked the DP to explain why a promise he made last year for the tarmacking of the Kakamega-Ingotse-Navakholo-Bungoma Road had not been fulfilled.

Mr Ruto said plans are in place for the road to be tarmacked and Dr Khalwale should not use the issue for political gain.

“If you think the junior politicians surrounding you (DP) and pretending they are popular and can deliver votes to Jubilee in 2017, you are mistaken,” said the senator.

UNTRUSTWORTHY
He said although communities in western Kenya are open to political alliances, they would not be fooled to blindly back the Jubilee.

Dr Khalwale said MPs who abandoned their parties to join Jubilee could not be trusted.

The senator said ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula and himself are senior politicians from the region who should be respected.

“Anybody who thinks he can sway the Luhya vote to Jubilee without involving the senior politicians would have a rough time,” said Dr Khalwale.

He told Mr Wamalwa to stop engaging in active politics because of his ministerial position.

At the same time, Ford Kenya party leader Mr Wetang’ula said he is ready to take on President Kenyatta in the polls if he secures the Cord ticket.

He, however, said Mr Raila Odinga and Mr Kalonzo Muskoya would first face off in the primaries.

The senator was speaking on Wednesday evening when he held a meeting with Ford Kenya delegates from Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia Counties at an Eldoret hotel.