Focus on development, let me deal with opposition, DP Ruto urges Uhuru

May. 16, 2016,

By GEORGE MUGO @geomugoh

Deputy President William Ruto has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to focus on development and let him deal with the opposition. 

Ruto accused Cord leaders Raila Odinga, Moses Wetang’ula and Kalonzo Musyoka of politicising every issue, including the murder of Jacob Juma. The DP said the opposition is looking for ways to attack Jubilee government and tarnish his name by linking him to the murder. “If they are serious, they should not be making such statements in funerals. They should be making them to the police for proper investigations,” Ruto said. Speaking at Wandemi Catholic church in Kagwe, Lari constituency, in Kiambu, Ruto said the opposition is after dirty competition. He urged Cord to engage in clean competition that does not involve allegations. 

The DP said the opposition is linking him to Juma’s murder as it is still upset with the collapse of his case at the ICC. Ruto accused Cord of failing to attend to Parliament on the IEBC issue. He said the opposition requested dialogue and the government allowed it. 

Legislators present included MPs Mburu Kahangara (Lari), John Kiragu (Limuru), Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Ferdinard Waititu (Kabete), Annah Nyokabi (Kiambu woman representative), Kigo Njenga (Gatundu South) and Moses Kuria (Gatundu North). Kahangara dismissed Cord’s allegation that Juma was killed by government operatives. He said linking the DP to Juma’s death will mislead people. Kahangara asked Cord not to use misfortunes as platforms to criticise the government, thinking they are campaigning for 2017. 

Kiragu urged Cord to desist from tarnishing leaders’ names, saying they make opposition lose focus and support. He said Jubilee will win the next general election with a landslide. 

Waititu urged Kenyans to continue praying for Jubilee, saying Uhuru and Ruto are being accused of everything by the opposition, which does not consider the impact. 

The MPs said the electoral commission is there to stay, adding that it is protected by the constitution. 

The lawmakers said they will not allow the electoral agency be sent home before every election. 

Ichungwa said the opposition has sensed defeat ahead of the polls. He said Cord should prepare for the polls instead of accusing the IEBC of malpractice. “An electoral agency does not cast votes. It is we who cast votes and they will be counted. Cord leaders fear the election because they know they will be defeated and they want a reason to convince their supporters,” he said. 

Waititu said Cord is looking for a way to cause mayhem and chaos after election, saying the government will tighten security. The Kabete legislator said all leaders in Central Kenya will support Jubilee in 2017 and later support it in 2022, when Ruto will become President.