DP Ruto courts Mudavadi ahead of 2022 State House race

Deputy President William Ruto has urged Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi to support him in his bid for President in 2022.

Speaking at a funds drive held in Malinda, Hamisi Constituency in Vihiga County Friday, September 30, the Deputy President said he supported Musalia Mudavadi selflessly when Raila Odinga ran for President in 2007.

Ruto said a deal was struck among Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party integral cogs – that comprised Musalia Mudavadi, Charity Ngilu, Joe Nyaga, Najib Balala and himself (William Ruto) – that Mudavadi would deputise Odinga if the latter won the 2007 presidential election.

Odinga, however, lost to former President Mwai Kibaki in a poll that was highly disputed, leading to the 2007-2008 post-election violence.

“In 2007, I supported Raila Odinga for presidency, and according to plans back then, his deputy was supposed to be Musalia Mudavadi. I really campaigned for them. Sadly, luck was not on their side,” Ruto said.

“I employed my own mechanisms and God has helped me as you can see today I am second in command. Kindly return the favour, keeping in mind how I supported Musalia Mudavadi,” Ruto urged the crowd that had gathered in Malinda.

Ruto went further to ask the audience to persuade Mudavadi to join the Jubilee camp, adding that should the Western Kenya leader back Uhuru’s bid, he would be in a position to negotiate a favourable partnership.

“When you politically compare Musalia Mudavadi and me, I command stronger support. At one point he was more prominent than me, but I have overtaken him. Support us, allow Uhuru Kenyatta to finish his two terms (2013-2017, 2018-2022) and later on, we will negotiate with Musalia how we can work together. Urge him not to avoid me,” Ruto added.

DP Ruto also took a swipe at CORD during the gathering, accusing the Opposition of being indecisive.

“They (CORD leaders) are finding a hard time to pick who will vie for President in 2017 on a CORD ticket. If the three cannot sit down and choose who among them will vie for President in 2017, will they manage to look into the welfare of 40 million Kenyans? No they cannot. They are confused,” said the DP.