DP William Ruto calls Jubilee dying party and says too ready to dump it for UDA

 

Deputy President William Ruto addresses Nyamira Ekerenyo residents in Nyamira County on November 2, 2021.[Sammy Omingo, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto yesterday said that he is ready to quit the “dying” Jubilee for United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and is not scared of threats of kick him out of the ruling party.

Ruto said his decision to move to UDA was informed by the divisions that rocked Jubilee which has lost its ideals and is beyond salvage.

“The plans of those we are competing with are to divide Kenya along tribal lines. We are telling them the way you broke up Jubilee, we are not threatened since we are already organised under ‘Kazi ni Kazi’ and UDA,” Ruto said at Gatunyu grounds in Gatanga during the funds drive for lawyer Edward Muriu Bursary Fund.

He contributed Sh2 million.

Later, he told Juja residents that he is determined to build UDA into a national movement “that will take over the space left by the dying Jubilee” by uniting all Kenyans without discrimination.

“It is you who spoiled the Jubilee Party after you accepted the man of the riddles to scatter the party and you are trying to salvage what was destroyed a long time ago.

“You are not even ashamed that even after destroying a party that was meant to unite Kenyans and now that majority have moved out is when you are trying to salvage it. It is up to you to sell the party to whoever you wish,” the DP said during as stopover at Kimbo.

He said they were pushed out of the party and history will judge their accusers. “It will be in record books that once upon a time there was a ruling party that collapsed and died and was eventually sold to the Opposition. And what kind of history is that?” Ruto posed.

The DP accused ODM leader Raila Odinga of frustrating the Big Four Agenda. “He told us that it was not a priority arguing that changing the Constitution was.”

Ruto said that it is time leaders stopped talking about changing the Constitution and came up with policies that will economically empower the poor and the youth.

The DP’s allies led by Garissa Township MP Aden Duale scoffed at attempts to kick him out as Deputy President and likened the ruling party to scrap metal being sold to ODM in the planned merger.

“The position of the Deputy President is anchored in articles 150, 151 and 153 which state that the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya is elected together with the President,” Duale said.

“He can only be removed for gross violation of the Constitution or when he is mentally incapacitated. So there is no way a constitution of a small party, scrap metal called Jubilee, will supersede the Kenyan Constitution.”

He said Jubilee was free to convene the National Delegates Conference and kick them out as they had already left the party.

The DP maintained that UDA and the Hustler Movement has majority elected MPs and more are set to join the party in the coming months.

Ruto was accompanied by Irungu Kang’ata, Ndindi Nyoro, Alice Wahome, Patrick Wainaina, George Koimburi, Rigathi Gachagua, Kimani Ichung’wa, James Gakuya, George Murugara, Isaac Mwaura and Ferdinand Waititu.

“We planned in 2013 and 2017 and formed the government, built the railway, roads, and increased electricity connectivity. Do you mean out of the eight million people who supported us there is no able leader to support and until we follow and hire that man of riddles to give us direction?” posed Kang’ata.

Ruto’s visit comes less than a week after President Uhuru Kenyatta told residents of Ruiru that they should elect leaders who will safeguard his legacy and that of his predecessor, Mwai Kibaki. 

The president cautioned his backyard against electing “crooks” propagating divisive and empty political rhetoric.

Yesterday, the DP enumerated projects that were initiated by the Jubilee administration since 2013.

He asked Kenyans to ignore leaders who were pursuing their selfish interests at the expense of addressing challenges the citizens face.

“When we started this journey in 2013 with President Uhuru Kenyatta, we agreed that we shall unite Kenyans and spur economic development for our country. Here in Kiambu, we have built over 500km of tarmac roads,” Ruto told residents at Weithethie market near Thika town.

The DP started his meet-the-people tour in Gatanga, Murang’a County and later made stopovers at Weithethie, Juja, Riuriro, Juja farm, Ruiru and Kimbo where he called on residents to support his presidential bid.

The DP gave Sh5 million to Matangi small scale traders at Ruiru.

“Together with my friend President Uhuru Kenyatta we have a development agenda for the Mt Kenya region. Does that man of riddles understand where he will start from in building roads in this area?” Ruto posed.

He said when the Jubilee administrations took over in 2013, only 140,000 residents were connected to electricity in Kiambu County but this has increased to more than 400,000.

He said that funds have been allocated for water projects in Kikuyu, Limuru, Gatundu and Juja.

“There are two ongoing water projects that will increase water supply for Kiambu residents. We have already set aside Sh25 billion for Karemenu water project and a further Sh20 billion for Ruiru II water project,” he said

“We have also built six technical training colleges in Kiambu to equip our youths with basic skills that can enable them to earn a living.”

He promised to set aside Sh50 billion for the agriculture sector so farmers can access subsidised inputs and markets. 

“We shall deal with cartels who inflate prices so that both farmers and consumers benefit,” he said.