DAP-K is a Raila project to divide Western, says Ruto

Kenya Kwanza Alliance yesterday accused the newly-formed Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) of attempting to split the Western region.

Deputy President William Ruto criticised Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu, saying they are being used by ODM leader Raila Odinga.

“There are some people who are being used to divide us. They have created a party for them. When you see Eseli (Simiyu) and Eugene (Wamalwa) can they establish a party? They have been given a party. They are stooges of Raila,” said Ruto of Tongaren, Bungoma .

He told the duo to join ODM instead of hiding under DAP-K.

“Go to ODM and run in ODM with your man so that we can face off here in Bungoma. You must be men enough and say they are in ODM so that we can face off,” he said.

Speaking in Kitale, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala dismissed DAP-K, saying it was a vehicle used by political brokers.

Malala claimed that Eugene, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, former Cabinet minister Cyrus Jirongo and the Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary-General Francis Atwoli are political brokers out to trade the Luhya vote.

“When you see DAP-K, you see ODM. Eugene, Jirongo, Atwoli and Oparanya are not contesting any seat and are working for the interest of Raila,” said Malala.

“Raila is a destroyer. He cannot be trusted with power, and we have closed all windows and doors to lock him out.”

He urged the Luhya community to rally behind ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya's Moses Wetang'ula.

And speaking at the DAP-K headquarters in Nairobi, Wamalwa dismissed claims by DP Ruto that he helped President Uhuru Kenyatta ascend to power.

“He should stop lying to himself. Twelve other parties made the president. He only had one party called URP,” he said.

The CS said the 2013 and 2017 victory for Uhuru was a joint effort and Ruto “was a shareholder” just like all other leaders who folded up their political parties to join the ruling Jubilee Party.

He told the DP to stop claiming that he has been helping other leaders in pursuit of political power.

While speaking in Kitale, Ruto repeated his claims that he was being intimidated by the so-called deep state.

Battle of ideas

He argued that Kenya does not belong to a few individuals who should be given a chance to make independent choice on who should be their leaders.

“This country don't belong to you, not few individuals. The country belongs to all of us and every citizen has to be counted and given the opportunity to elect leaders of their own choice,” he added.

Kenya Kwanza, he said, is determined to win the elections and liberate the economy.

The DP said that he has no problem with his competitors and challenged Azimio la Umoja for a battle of ideas.

He accused the ODM leader of sabotaging Jubilee government's Big Four Agenda and killing the role of opposition.

"We had planned well with President Uhuru Kenyatta to deliver the Big Four Agenda, but Raila interfered. This man sabotaged our agenda and even killed the opposition. But all is not lost, I will pick from where we had left when we ascend to power," he said.

Mudavadi expressed optimism that their alliance will win the election in the first round and urged residents to support them.

“We have gone around the country. Kenyans are with us, and we are assured of a win in the first round. We are asking you to join other Kenyans to support our alliance,” said Mudavadi.

The ANC leader accused President Kenyatta of trying to impose the ODM leader on the people and asked Kenyans to reject the government project.

"We will stand firm. We will not allow the president to decide for Kenyans on who should succeed him. The President should not dilute the constitution by imposing a leader on the Kenyans. The citizens should be given a chance to pick their president,” he said.

He warned those in the government against rushing to sign contracts during the electioneering period to burden Kenyans.

Wetang'ula assured that the Kenya Kwanza government will be answerable to Kenyans.

Legislator Aden Duale accused Uhuru of demeaning his deputy, arguing that as symbol of the country, the head of state need to lead by example.

Other MPs present were Chris Wamalwa (Kiminini), Alice Wahome (Kandara), Rigathi Gachagwa (Mathira), Ferdinard Wanyonyi (Kwanza), Robert Pokuse (Endebess) and Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), among others.

[Reports by Obare Osinde, Renee Were and Grace Ng'ang'a]