100 MPS DUMP DP WILLIAM RUTO

Deputy President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance power-sharing deal yesterday sparked a storm within and outside the outfit.

Former Kiambu governor William Kabogo threatened to quit the alliance, saying, the deal which hands Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC) and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula 30 per cent of government posts as well as the proposed prime cabinet secretary and National Assembly Speaker respectively, was going against what the DP had promised Mt Kenya.

This, even as allies of President Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga accused the DP of hypocrisy and double speak over the deal, saying, he was attempting to revive the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), which he vehemently opposed, through the back door.

Mr Kabogo, who leads the Tujibebe Wakenya Party, said Dr Ruto favoured Mr Mudavadi and Wetang’ula at the expense of the 5.8 million voters in Mt Kenya.

“I have seen the coalition agreement that UDA [United Democratic Alliance], ANC and Ford-Kenya have deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties. I did not join hands with William Ruto to get an appointive position,” Mr Kabogo said at a rally in Makongeni in Thika, Kiambu County, yesterday.

“When [Dr Ruto] and I met in Dubai, I told him I’m not interested in any executive seat [but for] him to ensure that resources are distributed equitably across the country, especially in areas that will support his presidential bid, key among them the Mt Kenya region.

What I suggested is that resources should be channelled based on human population. He accepted my suggestion,” Mr Kabogo said.

In Parliament, several legislators led by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi accused Dr Ruto of being a hypocrite.

“They say one thing and convince the public that they are honest. But in actual fact, their claims are a mixture of sense and political nonsense,” Mr Wandayi told journalists at Parliament Building.

The ODM director of political affairs was accompanied by MPs Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache South), Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragwa), John Mbadi (Suba North), Eseli Simiyu (Tongaren).

Others were Charles Kilonzo (Yatta), Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula), TJ Kajwang’ (Ruaraka) and Charles Were (Kasipul Kabondo).

The said deceit, fraud, and lies have become the currency of politics around the Kenya Kwanza outfit. The leaders defended President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga, who they said initiated the BBI process for the good of the nation.