Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto launches political party ahead of 2017 polls

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has launched his political party dubbed the Mashinani Development Party of Kenya (MDPK), the vehicle he plans to use in the 2017 General Elections.

During the launch, which was held at a Kericho Hotel, the Governor told off critics who have attacked him after he formed the new political party, saying he had the constitutional right to do so and was therefore under no obligation to explain his actions to anybody or get anyone’s permission to do so.

The Governor dismissed any calls to join the Jubilee Party saying that it has no agenda for Kenya and is driven by persons with personal agenda.

Governor Ruto has been on the forefront in opposing the dissolution of parties affiliated to the Jubilee coalition and accused Deputy President William Ruto of being easily convinced to joining the Jubilee Party and subsequently dissolving his United Republican Party (URP) without consulting its supporters and members from the greater Rift Valley region.

He said since the Jubilee leadership has decided to ‘kill’ URP and TNA, leaders of similar ideologies as him will not join Jubilee saying it lacks a clear agenda for the people.

He further said that his new party will field a candidate for the upcoming Kericho Senatorial by-elections which were occasioned by the resignation of Charles Keter upon being appointed the Cabinet Secretary for Energy.

The entrance of a MDPK candidate in the by-elections will make the competition stiff bearing in mind that Jubilee is said to be sponsoring former Cabinet Minister Franklin Bett while KANU and ODM are also planning to field candidates.

The entry of an MDPK candidate into the Kericho Senatorial race on demonstrates the growing political rivalry between the two Rutos as they battle for supremacy in the vote-rich South Rift.

Governor Ruto hailed MDPK as the party of the future and accused DP Ruto and President Uhuru Kenyatta of using the South Rift as a vote basket but failing to bring any development to the region.

Ruto said they will not allow the South Rift electorate to be used as rubber stamps to vote in individuals who do not care about them.

He said part of the Jubilee Manifesto was to give children in public primary schools laptops which he said has been a dream that will not be fulfilled any time soon.

The former chairman of the Council of Governors added that his party was ready to work and build coalitions with other political parties which are willing to work with him to defend devolution and the rights of the Kenyan people, saying he would soon be getting in touch with the Kenya National Congress, the KANU and other parties which have interests of Kenyans at heart.

He accused the Jubilee Government of frustrating devolution by failing to remit the necessary funds to the County Governments to carry out their mandates.

He gave the government two months to devolve all the necessary county functions, saying the Constitution was clear that the functions should be devolved by March 7th.

Ruto’s party just comes days after his successor as the Chairman of the Council of Governors and Meru Governor Peter Munya announce similar plans to launch a political party that he will use to seek re-election in 2017.

The two Governors fell out with their sponsoring parties over their dissolution and joining Jubilee Party.