URP will merge with TNA and nobody can prevent that, says Ruto

While other dignitaries join Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso in a song over the weekend at Bomet Stadium Governor Isaac Ruto stuck to his seat. This was not the first time the governor was found seated in a function attended by Deputy President William Ruto.

Deputy President William Ruto has said the United Republican Party (URP) will be disbanded and its members will join the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) ahead of the 2017 polls.

Ruto told off those who are opposed to the planned disbandment, saying they would not stand in the way of the plans.

Top leaders and voters in the Rift Valley region have publicly stated that the plans to fold the party and merge it with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s The National Alliance Party (TNA) were ill-conceived and should be put on hold.

Outspoken Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, his Kericho counterpart Paul Chepkwony, Kuresoi South MP Zakayo Cheruiyot and his Nandi Hills counterpart Alfred Keter are among those who have vehemently opposed the proposed merger.

“It is a fact that I went around the country popularising URP ahead of the last general election, leading to the election of governors, senators, MPs and Members of County Assemblies from North Eastern, Western, Coastal and Mount Kenya regions,” Mr Ruto said.

Speaking during a highly charged fundraising in Bomet town in aid of Joyful women group whose patron is his wife, Rachel, the DP said that they would not stop the party from being disbanded.

“None of you seated here at the dais went round the country to campaign for governors, MPs and MCAs. I am the only party leader who did so and delivered many seats outside the Rift Valley region,” he said.

He said: “You cannot start lecturing me whether or not to fold the party. I am not a fool, I know what I am doing. If we do not merge the parties, then we will not deliver the next election.”

SUTING MATCHES

As the DP made the remarks, his supporters and those of Governor Ruto engaged in shouting matches.

“Leaders should stop empty political rhetoric and unite the people because voters are not foolish, they know what is going on and will judge us by our performance by the end of the term,” he said.

Governor Ruto has repeatedly stated that he will not be joining JAP because the URP leadership had failed to consult members and officials on the planned move.

“It is not possible that URP top leadership can wake up one morning and make unilateral decisions on matters that have serious ramifications and believe that the party’s rank and file will blindly follow suit,” the governor said.

He told URP leaders to stop taking members back to the dark and dictatorial ages and instead embrace consultation, openness and tolerance.

“It is sad that whenever we speak out our minds on certain issues affecting the people, we are branded rebels,” he said.