Saturday, July 18, 2015

URP MPs Press Ruto To Ditch Uhuru in 2017


HISTORIC: DP Ruto with Sports CS Adan Wario and Kenya Volleyball Federation chairman Waithaka Kioni when he hosted the Kenya National Women?s Volleyball Team at his Karen home yesterday. Photo/DPPS
HISTORIC: DP Ruto with Sports CS Adan Wario and Kenya Volleyball Federation chairman Waithaka Kioni when he hosted the Kenya National Women?s Volleyball Team at his Karen home yesterday. Photo/DPPS
July 18, 2015
BY STAR TEAM
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Deputy President William Ruto is considering challenging President Uhuru Kenyatta for the presidency in 2017.
MPs from Ruto's URP and his close confidants have told the Star the DP is actively contemplating a bid because he is not guaranteed of TNA support in 2022.
The plan, according to multiple sources, is for Ruto to vie along with ODM secretary general Ababu Namwamba as his running mate. Should their audacious bid encounter headwinds, the two would abandon it and throw their support to Cord leader Raila Odinga.
Until a few months ago it had been accepted that President Uhuru would serve for two terms, then Ruto would take other in 2022 for another two terms. The agreement to that effect appears to be swiftly unravelling.
Two weeks ago at a rally, Ruto urged Raila to abandon Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as his running mate in 2017, saying that otherwise, he will be defeated as he was in the 2013 general election.
Ruto said Raila should also change strategy and his line-up.
“Let Raila plan well this time round, for it will be a tougher battle that doesn't require people like Kalonzo. Let him unleash his campaign weapons and face Uhuru head-on in the battlefield,” the DP said.
Uhuru's side is aware of Ruto calculus and has reached out to Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi as a possible running mate in 2017.
Mudavadi met former Minister Fred Gumo and Funyula MP Paul Otuoma last Monday at the Serena hotel, then flew out to get feedback.
Those he met told the former Deputy Prime Minister to seize the offer because it would improve his chances of succeeding Kenyatta in 2022.
         URP MPs from Rift Valley, who are pressuring Ruto to run, suspect their TNA counterparts would not abck Ruto in the event President Uhuru should rule for 10 years.
         Those leaders argue that although there is push to disband URP and TNA and merge them into the new JAP, what is on the table is merely a promise. They say the President's side needs to show more commitment to backing Ruto.
          Among the MPs pushing Ruto are Elijah Lagat of Emgwen, Zakayo Cheruiyot of Kuresoi and Nandi's Alfred Keter.
         During the six months when Cord leader Raila Odinga was on a sabbatical in the United States, Jubilee was rocked by infighting. Baba's return re-energized the opposition and in the process also unified the Jubilee side, which now focusses on Raila as the common enemy.
TNA, on the other hand, is said to be considering Peter Kenneth to take over from Uhuru with a running mate from either Western or Rift Valley.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/urp-mps-press-ruto-ditch-uhuru-2017#sthash.i0vGYHK6.dpuf

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