DP Ruto woos Mudavadi and Wetang'ula

Deputy President William Ruto addresses a UDA rally at Butali market in Malava. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto has urged Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford-Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula to join his camp. According to Ruto, it would be easier for him and the two politicians to mount a serious presidential contest and trounce ODM leader Raila Odinga in the 2022 polls.

“They are telling Mudavadi and Wetang’ula to support Raila to remain relevant in politics; that narrative is outdated. I want to ask my brothers to join me so that together we can form the next government,” Ruto told his supporters at Butali in Kakamega County, yesterday.

It is not the first time Ruto has openly sought the support of Mudavadi and Wetang’ula, who are some of the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) principals.

Ruto has in the past been a critic of OKA and dismissed the alliance’s leaders as nonstarters. 

He began his two-day Western tour in Kakamega and addressed rallies at Butali, Matete, Lugari and Likuyani. He is expected in Vihiga today for a series of meetings.

Ruto was flanked by MPs Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), John Waluke (Sirisia), former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, former Sports CS Rashid Echesa, UDA vice-chairperson Seth Panyako and Law Society of Kenya president Nelson Havi.

“Some people called Mudavadi to an interview in a hotel, but they never gave him the results. Instead, they endorsed Raila as a presidential candidate in the next polls. Mudavadi should not worry about them. He should come with Wetang’ula to the hustler nation,” said Ruto.

“They have sponsored some leaders from this region to fight you (Mudavadi and Wetang’ula) by forming tribal parties that suit their selfish interests. We will not allow that,” the DP said in reference to the newly launched Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) that was unveiled at the Bomas of Kenya on Tuesday.

Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi and his Tongareni counterpart Eseli Simiyu were introduced as the DAP-K party leader and secretary-general, respectively.

Ruto poured cold water on Raila’s candidature, saying the ODM leader had reached ‘political menopause’ and could not sell his ideologies to the electorate. “That explains why he has resorted to divide-and-rule tactics,” he said.

The DP vowed to revive the Big Four agenda by fast-tracking full implementation of its key pillars of development like food security, affordable housing, universal healthcare, and manufacturing if elected president.

He said the Big Four agenda dream did not come to fruition after Raila infiltrated the government through the Handshake and diverted attention to the Building Bridges Initiative.

“Raila was more interested in expanding the Executive to create positions of prime minister and two deputies. This was going to burden the taxpayer,” said Ruto.

He said his focus was on revamping agriculture by giving subsidies to farmers, growing the economy by double digits and creating jobs for youth.

Joining Raila’s camp

Washiali warned Mudavadi and Wetang’ula against joining Raila’s camp, claiming they were likely to be betrayed again. “DAP-K was formed to help Raila get votes from Western after they realised Mudavadi and Wetang’ula would not support him. It is a pity that our son, (Local Government CS Eugene) Wamalwa, is also being used to fight his fellow kinsmen,” said Mr Washiali.

He predicted that Ruto would beat Raila hands down at the ballot. “We do not have a problem with Raila climbing the mountain. What is important is what you are going to get from there. The mountain belongs to DP Ruto.” 

Mr Barasa said what mattered was for Kenyans to elect a leader who would take the country in the right direction.

He challenged Mr Wamalwa to resign and stop being used to divide the people of the western region.

Mr Echesa demanded the sacking of Wamalwa, accusing him of engaging in active politics. “I was sacked as a CS on claims I was politicking. Wamalwa should also be sacked for campaigning for Raila,” he said.