Ruto and Kenya Kwanza allies say Raila 'unsuitable'

Deputy President William Ruto addressing Wananchi at Kimunye Market, Gichugu, Kiriyaga County.[Jonah Mwangi, DPPS]

Deputy President William Ruto yesterday claimed ODM leader Raila Odinga was unsuitable to lead the country as he had lost his chance to clinch the presidency.

Ruto said on his tour of Kirinyaga County where he visited Ndia, Mwea and Gichugu constituencies, that he had successfully worked with President Uhuru Kenyatta when he needed support for his presidential bid in 2013.

He was accompanied by ANC Leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya boss Moses Wetang’ula.

He said they had tried to assist Raila to secure the presidency several times but failed.

Other leaders wth him were Governor Anne Waiguru, MPs Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Kithure Kindiki, Gichimu Githinji (Gichugu), George Kariuki (Ndia) and Patrick Munene (Chuka Igambangombe).

“We are here with Mudavadi and Wetang’ula and they both tried to support Raila and he could not win the elections, they have said he cannot make it as President, why should we trust him then,” he said.

He said the efforts to force voters to elect Raila would not succeed because the people would make that decision for themselves.

“There is a small group of people who are in hotels claiming they will tell us who to elect in the election they are mistaken, Raila is not the only choice and we know he cannot do the job,” he observed.

Gaining popularity

Mudavadi said that opinion polls that reported ODM leader Raila Odinga is gaining popularity in Central Kenya are misleading.

“There is an opinion poll done that showed Raila is gaining popularity in Central Kenya,this is propaganda that should not be taken seriously,” Mudavadi said in Sagana after opening an ICT centre in Ndia Constituency.

Mudavadi said the support Uhuru is giving Raila will come to an end before August. He said he Uhuru will not manage to handle him. 

“Uhuru will be tired with Raila, we wonder whether he will still be with the ODM leader before August,” Wetangula added. 

Mudavadi said Kenyans are not ready for a ‘puppet’ leader saying Kenya Kwanza is for leaders who are focused on the needs of the citizens.

“We are not going to be led by leaders who are controlled with a remote control.

“When Raila is told to go to Dubai, he leaves for Dubai, this is not the kind of government we want,” said Mudavadi. 

Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetangula added that Raila is not a leader to be trusted and is difficult to deal with. 

Wetangula said Kenya Kwanza leadership wants to change Kenyan politics that are controlled by some individuals. 

“In 2007 Raila tried overthrowing Kibaki’s government, he (Kibaki) was saved by us and that is how a coalition government was formed,” Wetangula added. 

Wetangula asked Kirinyaga people to elect leaders allied to Kenya Kwanza coalition.

“Kirinyaga people I plead with you to give us leaders who are allied to Kenya Kwanza,” Wetangula said.

The deputy president made stopovers at the Kiangwaci market in Baricho before proceeding to Gichugu.