DEPUTY PRESIDENT WILLIAM RUTO BETRAYED BY MT KENYA FRIENDS

Deputy President William Ruto came under fierce attack from a group of Mt Kenya leaders as elite businessmen from the region endorsed ODM boss Raila Odinga for the presidency.

Ruto was condemned for his brand of politics in a communique by read by Agriculture CS Peter Munya during a luncheon hosted by the Mt Kenya Foundation at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.

Munya on Wednesday said Raila has demonstrated a willingness to address the interests of their region, secure Kenya’s peace and economy and safeguard public resources from plunder.

People of Mt Kenya have no confidence in sweet-talking people who want to take advantage of our problems and use them as fodder for electioneering without offering concrete solutions.

CS Peter Munya

Ruto has repeatedly courted the Mountain, visited and invited leaders to his Karen residence. He has promised he would safeguard all the business interests of the vote-rich bloc. At one time there appeared to be a Ruto wave and he still has support, especially among youth.

But Munya said, “People of Mt Kenya have no confidence in sweet-talking people who want to take advantage of our problems and use them as fodder for electioneering without offering concrete solutions.” It was a clear reference to Ruto.

He added they have no confidence in and reject people who proclaim themselves as their leaders without consulting them, and who want to impose leaders on them “just like the colonialists once did”.

“We do not feel safe in the hands of individuals with a history of looting public coffers, land grabbing and perpetrating the displacement of our people,” Munya added.

Ruto was once charged with crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court for, among others, displacement of persons. The case collapsed as witnesses recanted or disappeared.

At Safari Park, Munya said they will form a technical team to negotiate areas of concern and work with Raila to realise the dreams of the Mt Kenya region.

I met the business community from Mt Kenya on Tuesday and I assured them I will promote the private sector. In Kenya, solutions to joblessness lie in the private sector

Raila Odinga

“We commit to work with Raila to build on President Kenyatta’s legacy and make Kenya a great country that every Kenyan is proud to call home,” he concluded.

In his address, Raila said he would respond to the “many requests by leaders from MKF on Friday at Kasarani”. 

“Thank you for what you’re doing. I’m not responding to requests until Friday. I will speak on that day,” he said.

He nonetheless spoke about transforming the country into a nation of property and zero discrimination.

“I met the business community from Mt Kenya on Tuesday and I assured them I will promote the private sector. In Kenya, solutions to joblessness lie in the private sector.

“In the developed world it’s prestigious to work in the private sector and not in government,” he stated.

At the event, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s hand was clearly discernible. 

Courtesy The Star