Ruto says URP will win in first round

By Titus Too and Jonathan Komen

United Republican Party (URP) leader William Ruto led 10 MPs affiliated to his party in declaring they would triumph in the first round of the presidential polls.

The URP leaders expressed confidence that they would emerge victors in the first round in next year’s General Election.

Ruto asked URP supporters to ensure that they win round one because round two may be interfered with by the case facing him at the ICC.

Ruto said: “We would like to conclude the elections in the first round because going beyond that may be slippery,” Said Ruto who spoke in Kalenjin during a rally at Kabiyet, Nandi County.

 “We will no longer make it a guess work. We would like to plan together and ensure that we are in the next Government,” he added.

At the same time, Ruto ruled out an alliance with Prime Minister Raila Odinga even as the premier met Kalenjin elders at Ruto’s backyard in Eldoret.

“We supported that man in the last elections but we are now telling him bye. We have been in the opposition for 10 years because of his ‘Kibaki tosha’ slogan,” said Ruto.

Tricked

The Eldoret North MP said they would not be fooled for the second time.

 “If someone cheats your once, he is a liar, but when you are cheated for the second time, you become a fool yourself,” said Ruto, who seemed to suggest he was tricked into supporting Raila in 2007.

He stated that URP’s manifesto would include empowering farmers, youth and women in efforts of eradicating poverty levels.

“We will ensure farm inputs are affordable and improve prices for agricultural products to boost farmers’ earnings,” he said.

He was accompanied by Cabinet ministers Samuel Poghisio and Chirau Mwakwere, MPs David Koech (Mosop), Elijah Lagat (Emgwen), Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany), Zachayo Cheruiyot (Kuresoi), Boaz Kaino (Marakwet West) and Gideon Konchela (Kilgoris) 

Others included Charles Keter (Belgut), Aden Duale (Dujis), URP chairman Francis ole Kaparo and party aspirants for various seats.

Kuttuny said the PM had lost popularity in most regions that voted for him in the last polls including Rift Valley, saying he (PM) would not win the coming elections.

He also dismissed meetings held by Kalenjin elders in Nakuru last week and in Eldoret on Monday, terming them tribal.

“We would like Mzalendo Kibunjia’s National Integration and Cohesion Commission (NICC) to investigate these meetings held in hotels because they are not bringing all communities on board. Uhuru and Ruto have united Kenyans,” he said.

Lagat said there was no negotiation prior to the Kalenjin community joining ODM ahead of the last General Election.

SERENA TALKS

“This time round, we have to give direction as leaders and we should be one and united,” he said.

He said despite Ruto campaigns for ODM and Raila in 2007 and being involved in talks that lead to the power-sharing deal at Serena Hotel, he was eventually sacked from the coalition Government.

“Leaders including Charles Keter and Jackson Kiptanui also lost their posts as assistant ministers in the same Government,” said Lagat.

Duale said URP is confident of capturing over 100 parliamentary seats and 40 senate seats in the polls.

 Keter said none of the presidential candidates will achieve 50 plus one vote in the elections and that is why URP is negotiating with like-minded parties.

He also called on Rift Valley leaders in ODM including Franklin Bett (Roads) and Henry Kosgey (Industrialization) to change their stands lest they lose.

Poghisio told the rally that Ruto would provide direction for the community ahead of the next polls. 

“Ruto is not misleading us because where he is taking us is better than where we came from,” he said.