UDA, ANC members clash at funeral over DP Ruto impeachment motion.

DP William Ruto during the burial of his allies’ mother Siphrosa Akosi at Ejinja village in Matungu, Kakamega, yesterday. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Deputy President William Ruto yesterday met resistance trying to sell a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate at a funeral at Enjinja village in Matungu Constituency, Kakamega County.

Ruto, who was accompanied by Tangatanga lawmakers Caleb Kositany (Soy), Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East) and Malulu Injendi (Malava) faced opposition as he tried to introduce Alex Lanya, the UDA candidate in the March 4 Matungu parliamentary by-election.

Trouble began after Tangatanga politicians took a swipe at Lugari MP Ayub Savula, who was present, accusing him of trying to belittle the deputy president by pushing an impeachment motion against Ruto. Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa warned Savula not to disrespect the deputy president.

Echesa went on to attack Savula over his alleged financial dealings with former managers at the ailing Mumias Sugar Company.

Mr Kositany laughed off the planned impeachment motion against Ruto, arguing that Amani National Congress (ANC) lacks the requisite numbers in Parliament to push through such a motion.

“If you look at the party that wants to impeach Deputy President William Ruto, it has few MPs that can’t reach the two-third threshold required,” said Koistany.

“Where will they get the additional members to meet the required 233 MPs capable of sending DP Ruto home?” Kositany asked Savula who was seated next to the second in command.

“We must change the way we do things in this country, Kenyans ought to elect their leaders based performance.”

But the legislator refrained from discussing the Matungu mini-poll, saying that local voters would have the last say. 

Savula and Ruto sat close to each other at the burial of Silphosa Akoth, mother of local politician Paul Posho who quit Matungu mini-poll race and has vowed to back Mr Lanya, the DP’s candidate.

Washiali said Savula was being used by Ruto’s detractors to scuttle the DP’s presidential quest.

Dismissed claims

But when he took to the podium, Savula dismissed claims by Echesa and Washiali, and warned that he would not be cowed by any political force and empty threats.

He vowed to continue pushing for the impeachment motion against the deputy president. 

Savula seized the opportunity to drum up support for his party boss Musalia Mudavadi, urging Ruto to back the former vice president.

“We have had other tribes in power and now it is time for the Luhya community to lead, you Ruto should support Mudavadi in 2022.”

DP Ruto steered clear of the impeachment motion debate and instead told the mourners that he intend to form a government that would take care of the needs of all Kenyans in 2022.

He said the focus should be on providing accessible universal health care programme to the people, creating jobs for the youth and reviving collapsed Mumias sugar company.

Ruto said he was determined to change the way government functions by shifting the focus on ordinary person including boda riders and mama mboga as opposed to satisfying the interests of the rich in society. He urged proponents of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) to hurry and finish up their constitutional reforms, to enable the government to continue with its developmental agendas.

Ruto defended the hustler movement narrative, stating that he would ride on the same to succeed his boss Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.

“I know many people around here are hustlers who are looking to make ends meet, that is why I am telling you that we need to invest in them,” said Ruto.

Contrary to claims that the narrative could incite Kenyans, Ruto said he was committed to the economic well-being of Kenyans.

Earlier, Ruto attended the burial of Regina Akumu in Funyula, Busia County, where he questioned why, up to now, Kenyans were yet to get copies of BBI.