Ruto pre-poll coalition Leaders react to Uhuru, Ruto pre-poll coalition

MPs allied to Deputy Prime MinisterUhuru Kenya and Eldoret North MP at the Jevanjee Gardens in Nairobi shortly before signing of the TNA-URP pre-election agreement. [PHOTO: EVANS HABIL/STANDARD]

By Titus Too and Vincent Mabatuk

The political merger between Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto has elicited mixed reactions.

While a section of leaders have supported the alliance, others thought it was too soon to say whether it will have any impact.

Not popular

Veteran Uasin Gishu politician and ODM supporter Jackson Kibor said the alliance was not popular in the Rift Valley, adding “it is going nowhere”.

“People are keen and they do attend the URP/TNA rallies in the Rift Valley to listen to what the politicians are saying. But that is not a guarantee that they will back them,” said Kibor.

In reference to Uhuru’s presidential bid, Kibor said residents in the region “may not accept going back to the mountain”.

Other leaders, however, welcomed the URP/TNA alliance, saying it offered a better power deal for the Kalenjin community.

“There is no other political deal that is better than the one Ruto has with Uhuru,” said Paul Kiprop, chairman Wareng County Council.

Robert Kipkemboi, secretary general of a youth group campaigning against the Uhuru-Ruto alliance, urged Kenyans not to support the pact.

“The pact would be a disaster because Uhuru and Ruto are facing ICC charges at The Hague. We may be at a risk of facing sanctions because of international reputation,” said Kipkemboi.

And addressing the media in Nakuru, a group of elders drawn from Nakuru County rubbished the political union.

The elders said the community would not accept to be hoodwinked by individuals championing selfish interests.

“Ruto is our son, we do not want to deny that. But he bypassed us while making the decision to work with TNA,” said Mathew Marintany, an elder.

He accused Ruto of jumping the gun, saying he should have first sought the approval of elders and the Kalenjin community.

“We would have supported him if he vied for the presidency but now no,” insisted Mr Marintany.

Mistrust

On his part, Nakuru Town MP Lee Kinyanjui welcomed the pre-election deal, saying it would help end mistrust that has always existed between the Kalenjin and Kikuyu.

He said all communities in Nakuru were welcome to join the pact. 

“I am happy that the evasive political trust between the two dominant communities in Nakuru County whenever elections are around the corner will be a thing of the past,” said Kinyanjui, who is seeking the Nakuru County governorship.