DP Ruto brushes off CORDs opposition of meetings, says its his right

Deputy President William Ruto has defended the meetings he is convening with leaders from various parts of the country saying it is his democratic right.

The DP, who has in recent weeks hosted leaders from various counties at his rural home, stated that, as a leader, he is entitled to hold meetings with Kenyans from all parts of the country without restrictions.

“There is no reasonable leader who believes in democracy would like to criminalize meeting of Kenyans in any part of the country,” said Ruto.

Ruto noted that CORD has reverted to attacking him in press conferences because they had “no agenda for the country”.

“When they wake up in the morning, they talk about William Ruto and harambees he is conducting. How that is their business and how is it beneficial to Kenyans?” he asked.

He further claimed that the voices of dissent from CORD over the meetings are motivated by the fear that they (the opposition) could be losing support to Jubilee.

Ruto said he is confident that the Jubilee administration will win next year’s General Election because it has a clear development agenda for Kenyans.

“This is why we are clear in our minds that the Jubilee administration will win the next election and there is no doubt about it,” added Ruto.

“Kenyans are keen to elect leaders who are ready to embrace everyone and fight tribalism. This is what the Jubilee administration is all about,” said the DP.

He was speaking during a meeting with elected leaders, clerics and opinion leaders from Kakamega and Bungoma Counties at his Sugoi home on Friday.

The meeting was attended by among others MPs Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Boniface Otsyula (Bumula), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navokholo), Bernard Washiali (Ikolomani) and Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka.

Others were former MPs Noah Wekesa, Wycliffe Osundwa, Manyala Keya and Justus Kizito.

CORD has on several occasions accused Ruto of bribing leaders from Western Kenya to join Jubilee and using money allegedly acquired through fraudulent means to fund Harambees.

The most recent backlash from CORD came on Friday at the burial of Yabigena Boys High School Principal Joseph Obare in Nyabururu.

In his address, CORD leader Raila Odinga reiterated his concerns over the regular meetings that Ruto was holding at his home saying it’s a clear indication of old-age politics.

Raila faulted a section of political leaders for using the meetings to push for self-interests saying development comes from the government and should not be sought in Ruto’s home.

“You don’t have to go to someone’s home to beg for development. Development comes from the government and not someone’s home,” he said.

In the past one week, Ruto has held two key meetings with political leaders from Kisii and Western in a bid to seek support for the newly-formed Jubilee Party in the regions.

President Kenyatta also held a meeting with leaders from Lamu in Mombasa during his visit of Coast region this week.

By @benjaminwafula