Opposition MPs declare support for Deputy President William Ruto’s presidential bid in 2022

Deputy President William Ruto is received by Orthodox Archbishop Makarios at Chengingei in Nandi County during a funds drive. [PHOTO/KEVIN TUNOI/STANDARD]

Deputy President William Ruto’s bid for presidency in 2022 got support from unlikely quarters yesterday when three Opposition MPs threw their weight behind him.

The three, ODM’s John Waluke (Sirisia), Jones Mlolwe (ODM-Voi) and Federal Party of Kenya’s Peter Shehe (Ganze) said they were also ready to support Jubilee’s re-election bid for 2017.

They said they “wanted to support Ruto for the presidency in 2022 so that they can benefit from being in the Government and achieve progress”.

The leaders, who were speaking at a church function in Kobujoi in Nandi County which the DP and other Jubilee politicians also attended, said the Opposition had discovered the importance of unity in development.

“We in the Opposition have realised that the country can only be run by one president, one deputy with Jubilee as a uniting factor,” said Waluke.

Ruto took the opportunity to drum up support for the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) and a President Uhuru Kenyatta presidency in 2017. He also urged leaders to put aside politics of division and constant criticism directed at the Government.

The DP said political unity is the single indicator of a united Kenya and called on other political parties to join JAP. “Loyalty to the Government is a key transformer for positive development. Jap is the winning formular for a 2022 presidency,” said Ruto.

Ruto, who added that he was in no rush to be President said he would give his full support to Uhuru in 2017.

He further said tribalism is still the biggest challenge to unity. “As Jubilee we are leading the way in uniting Kenyans by collapsing all affiliate parties in favour of Jap ahead of 2017 General Election,” he said.

Ruto added: “We cannot talk of unity as a nation if we are divided politically. We must work as leaders to demonstrate our commitment to the unity of our people.”

He made the remarks when he addressed residents at Kobujoi grounds where he attended an interdenominational service organised by 82 churches in the county and another meeting at Bishop Makarios Secondary School.

Make mistake

The DP urged Christians to continue praying for leaders and the Government in implementing their development projects. “We have been through difficult times as a country but God has seen us through,” he said.

Other leaders present were Julius Melly (Tinderet), Stephen Sang (Nandi), Elijah Langat (Chesumei), Dan Wanyama (Webuye), Cornelly Serem (Aldai), Zipporah Kering (Nandi), Jones Mlolwa (Voi), Beatrice Alachi (nominated), Rachel Shebesh (Nairobi), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete) and Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat.

Waluke said residents of Western Kenya would not make a mistake “of being in the Opposition again” saying they would work with Jubilee come the next election.

Mlolwe said Coast residents would continue supporting the Government despite having voted for the Opposition during the last general election.

Shebesh said, “We want unity of all Kenyans and we will partner with the church in preaching peace and unity.”

Waititu said Central Kenya would give its full support to the DP in 2022. “We shall return the favour for Mr Ruto,” he said.

Meanwhile, he asked farmers in the area to invest more in the dairy sector. He said plans were underway to start Artificial Insemination (AI) centres in the region.

“We want to start more liquid nitrogen centres in Kakamega and Kitale to make access to Al services easy for farmers. Artificial insemination costs will also be reduced,” he said.