Ruto calls off debate on 2022

Deputy President William Ruto has hit out at Jubilee leaders engaged in the debate on the probability of Central Kenya supporting his 2022 presidential bid.

Speaking in Trans Nzoia on Saturday, Mr Ruto challenged the leaders to focus on the 2017 elections instead and ensure re-election of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Calling the debate unnecessary, the Deputy President said the leaders “should not be worried about that”.

The DP was at Kipkeikei High School in Cherang’any constituency. “The contest that is present in the arena is the contest of 2017. I will be ready to face any man and woman who will be in the field to challenge my presidential bid when that time comes,” said Mr Ruto.

The Deputy President said ensuring that President Kenyatta earns another five-year term was part of their Jubilee coalition plan.

He also accused the leaders of playing to Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) propaganda on the alleged likelihood of 2022, and also challenged the Opposition to name their presidential flag bearer instead of engaging in Jubilee affairs.

“I know the Cord principals are partly engineering this debate since they are certain that the President will be re-elected and hence their focus has been diverted to 2022,” Mr Ruto said.

Cherang’any MP Wesley Korir chipped in and told the leaders to hold their horses, saying the debate was untimely and only aimed at tearing the coalition apart to the advantage of the opposition.

“We in Rift Valley know that the Deputy President will be the country’s President in 2022, and thus we don’t need to waste our time discussing this matter yet we have a task to face in 2017,” said Mr Korir.

On Friday, the Deputy President asked residents of the vote-rich Rift Valley to continue supporting Jubilee Alliance.

He welcomed five local leaders who had decamped from Kanu and ODM to Jubilee as he attended the home coming of Correctional Services PS Micah Powon at Makutano Primary School.

UNFULFILLED PROMISES
Governor Simon Kachapin, Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto, Mr John Lodinyo, and ODM point men in the region, Reverend Julius Murgor and Phillemon Lotudo, announced they had joined the ruling coalition on Friday.

Mr Kachapin said that he would lead local leaders in ensuring that Jubilee garners 100 per cent votes from the region next year.

“What we are saying is that the leaders who will not join us in this race are going to lose in the next elections,” said the governor.

He lauded the Jubilee administration for initiating development projects in the area.

The chairman of Pokot Members of Parliament David Pkossing brokered a deal that saw the five cross over to Jubilee.

This came as President Kenyatta signed into law the Political Parties (Amendment) Act, which provides a roadmap for the merger of political parties on Thursday.

“We want to ensure this region is a Jubilee zone. These are early preparations to ensure that this region votes overwhelmingly for President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Ruto,” said Mr Murgor.

He said that they had jointly decided to join Jubilee to bring unity among the leaders.

They accused the Opposition and Kanu for not living up to their promises for the community and urged others to join them.

Additional reporting by Osar Kakai and Denis Lubanga