ODM MPs declare DP Ruto Kenyas enemy number one

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislators have launched a scathing attack on Deputy President William Ruto, terming him as “Kenya’s enemy number one” for opposing reforms in the country’s governance system.

In a strongly-worded statement issued a day after Ruto hit out at ODM Party leader Raila Odinga branding him biggest enemy to Kenya’s democracy, the ODM MPs accused the DP of causing hate and division in the country by opposing whatever he deems a threat to his 2022 presidential ambitions.

“We wish to advise Mr. Ruto to stop looking for enemies in the wrong places. In his quest to be President, Ruto is the enemy he is looking for. What stands between Mr. Ruto and the Presidency is not His Excellency Raila Amolo Odinga. It is Ruto’s character, his bad record in office and the perceptions about him by the general public,” said the opposition MPs.

Speaking during a church service in Nandi County and in an apparent reference to Mr. Odinga, DP Ruto on Sunday said the biggest enemy to Kenya’s democracy is leaders who participate in elections and refuse to accept when defeated.

“The biggest threat to our democracy, our progress and stability are people who have questionable democratic credentials; dictators who participate in elections and yet they do not accept the outcome of any election,” said Ruto.

He was reacting after Odinga said on Saturday that the 2002 General Election was the only credible poll Kenya had ever witnessed.

The ODM MPs, however, dismissed Ruto’s sentiments saying the DP is holding Kenya hostage.

“Ruto is holding the Government of Kenya hostage. We are all aware that in the last term, the government was unable to move on anything because of Ruto’s hostage antics. The biggest threat to our democracy, our progress and stability are people who have questionable credentials. That is what Ruto is,” said the MPs.

They included Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch, Nominated MP Geoffrey Osotsi, Homa Bay Woman Representative Glady’s Wanga, her Kwale counterpart Zulekha Juma Hassan and Mr. Koitamet Ole Kina.

“Mr. Ruto is a hypocrite. He vehemently opposed the 2010 Constitution on grounds that it had loopholes. Now, when we call for the fixing of the loopholes, he retorts that the Constitution must not be changed. That hypocrisy is standing between him and the Presidency,” said the leaders in a joint statement.

The leaders insisted that the country’s laws ought to be amended whether the deputy president likes it or not.

“The leadership of this country will not be transferred to a man with such a dubious record in and out of office. Kenya cannot be held back by rabid ambitions of a man determined to put the whole country into his bank accounts and issue a title deed of the entire country in his own name,” they said.

“The laws will have to change to perfect our systems of governance to keep such men and women in check and to strengthen devolved units so that all Kenyans can benefit from the fruits of the land regardless of who is president.”