DP William Ruto publicly embraces UDA

Deputy President William Ruto receives a wheelbarrow from the residents of Mathira, Nyeri, on October 31, 2020. [Kibata Kihu, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto has publicly embraced the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party calling it an ‘alternative national party’.

Reacting to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s declaration that he will back a National Super Alliance (NASA) candidate, Ruto claimed yesterday that the Head of State intentionally wrecked the Jubilee Party to support regional parties.

NASA, comprised of co-principals; Raila Odinga (ODM), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Musalia Mudavadi (ANC) and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wentangula, was formed in 2017.

“So, was the destruction/dismembering of Jubilee, a national party, meant to pave way for support of regional/tribal parties in Nasa? Now, with the collapse of Jubilee, isn’t it fair for those who can’t fit in ethnic parties to build UDA as an alternative national party? Ama?” tweeted the DP.

Hinting that he will run on a UDA ticket, Ruto added: “So, what happens to the Thurakus, the kumìrà kùmèrà contingent, the 8 million of us?? None, no youth, no woman, no man of the 8M who woke up early and voted 3 times for UK/WSR ticket merit support? Sawa tu! Tutajipanga na support ya MUNGU (sic).”

Addressing a delegation of Ukambani leaders led by Kalonzo and Governors Alfred Mutua (Machakos) and Charity Ngilu (Kitui) at State House, Nairobi, President Kenyatta urged NASA leaders to remain united saying he would back their candidate in the succession race.

A move that came days after Raila said he was still on good terms with the Wiper leader and was willing to work with him in the 2022 elections.

The former premier was speaking at the burial of former Kibwezi MP Kalembe Ndile.