Do not divide the rift, Governor Ruto told

A section of Rift Valley leaders have asked Bomet Governor Ruto not to form another party to ensure political solidarity in the Rift Valley region.

Leading the group, Uasin Gishu Senator Isaac Melly said the governor should be focused on unifying the South Rift bloc by getting support for the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) in preparation for the 2017 elections.

“There is no way we can build two houses at once, that is the genesis of dividing the Rift Valley voting bloc based on selfish interests.”

“JAP is currently not about President Uhuru Kenyatta and his ambitions for 2017, it is more for the Deputy President William Ruto because it is his political vehicle, which he will use in seeking the presidency in 2022. “Melly said.

Speaking in Eldoret, Ainabkoi legislator Samuel Chepkonga echoed Melly’s sentiments saying that if Ruto formed another political outfit it would jeopardise the unity of the region and subsequently disrupt plans to have the DP vie for presidency in 2022.

“It is currently not the best time for us to have another party, we should instead channel our energies in making sure that the opposition does not get a chance to wrestle us out in the next poll,” he said.

Ruto, however, declared that if the United Republican Party (URP) was to merge to form JAP, he would go ahead and form another party.

“Nothing can stop us from forming another party, I will organize to meet with former councilors and community elders so that we can plan towards the creation of a new party,” he said.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso warned Ruto against his plans, saying that he would be committing political suicide if he opted to go ahead with his ideas.

Laboso also added that she would vie against the governor in the 2017 elections.