Defiant Ruto drums up support for UDM

By  KENNEDY LUMWAMU klumwamu@ke.nationmedia.com AND SAMUEL KOECH skoech@ke.nationmedia.comPosted Monday, February 21 2011 at 21:00

In Summary

• Suspended minister says party will give a strong showing in 2012 elections

Suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto has asked his supporters to quit the Orange Democratic Movement and join the United Democratic Movement (UDM).

The Eldoret North MP said UDM performed well in the recent civic by-elections and was the party to beat in the 2012 General Election.

Speaking in Sigor constituency in West Pokot at the weekend, Mr Ruto pointed out that the three wards the party clinched was a clear indication that it was out to give ODM a run for its money.

He said out of the 11 civic polls, three went to UDM, showing that UDM was out to rout ODM in Rift Valley.

The sentiments were earlier expressed by Cherengany MP Joshua Kuttuny who told Prime Minister Raila Odinga not to be blindfolded by opinion polls as they were doctored statistics aimed at sending signals that ODM was still popular at the grassroots.

“We want to remind him that ODM is no longer the party that enjoys countrywide support. You can attest to that by looking at the civic by-elections in which the yet-to-be unveiled UDM party excelled,” affirmed Kuttuny.

The MPs accused National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende of taking sides in his ruling over nominations to four constitutional offices.

“The Speaker must act within the stipulated guidelines of the House. He should also respect the separation of powers in the three arms of government and cease from acting as if he is supervising the Executive,” said Ruto.