HomeNewsPolitics POLITICS Ruto: We’ll forgive PM but deny him votes

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PHOTO | CORRESPONDENT United Republican Party leader William Ruto addresses supporters at Malaba town on November 2, 2012. He also addressed rallies in Amukura and Amagoro in Teso.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By GEOFFREY RONO marukware@yahoo.com
Posted  Sunday, November 4  2012 at  00:30

IN SUMMARY

• Mr Ruto pointed out that the Kalenjin accorded Mr Odinga overwhelming support in the last elections but it was sad that he had turned against the community and its leaders after ascending to the premier’s docket
• Mr Ruto said his party was going into alliance with like minded presidential aspirants for a straight win in the first round during the next election
• Leaders at the meeting gave Ruto the mandate to go into coalition talks with other presidential aspirants but if such talks would be extended to the premier he should forget about leadership

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United Republican Party (URP) leader William Ruto on Saturday took his presidential campaign to the South Rift region and declared that the Kalenjin were ready to forgive Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the wrongs he may have committed against the community.

However, the Eldoret North MP told the premier that the community would not vote for him in his bid for the presidency in the next General Election. (Read: Raila apologises to Rift Valley)

Mr Ruto pointed out that the Kalenjin accorded Mr Odinga overwhelming support in the last elections but it was sad that he had turned against the community and its leaders after ascending to the premier’s docket.

This time round, the Eldoret North MP stated, Mr Odinga should not waste his energies trying to convince the community to back him.

“Raila should forget our votes much as we may forgive him for the wrongs that he may have committed against the community and its leaders,” he said.

Mr Ruto spoke at Chemaner Primary School sports ground in Longisa division of the Bomet County during a rally organised by local leaders to drum up support for his presidential bid.

He was accompanied by MPs Aden Duale, Charles Keter, Isaac Ruto, Benjamin Langat, Dr Joyce Laboso, Jackson Kiptanui, Dr Julius Kones and Zakayo Cheruiyot.

And while exuding confidence that URP will form the next government, Mr Ruto assured the party members that the forthcoming party nominations will be free and fair.

Mr Ruto said his party was going into alliance with like minded presidential aspirants for a straight win in the first round during the next election.

The government that he expected to form, he said, was one that would bring together its citizenry and sensitise them on the need to remain united so as to build a healthy and united nation devoid of tribalism.

He assured Kenyans that those he was teaming up with are focused presidential hopefuls who have clear development agenda for the country.

Leaders at the meeting gave Ruto the mandate to go into coalition talks with other presidential aspirants but if such talks would be extended to the premier he should forget about leadership.

The MPs said they had severed links with ODM and that they welcomed the on going talks between URP and The National Alliance.

Mr Duale said it was sad to note that as the country was headed to the next election, the Mau evictees were still languishing in transitional camps.

“It is not that the government has no money to resettle these families but rather it was reluctant and not ready to fund the exercise,” said Duale.

The leaders vowed to drum up support for Eldoret North MP presidential bid.

Dr Laboso extended an olive branch to Bomet MP Beatrice Kones who however was not at the meeting to decamp from ODM and join URP.