Ruto to unveil political party by Christmas

By Peter Mutai

Suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto has said he will unveil the political party he will use to vie for presidency before the end of the year.

Ruto said the political party, which will have a national outlook, would be known by December this year adding that it will accommodate all ethnic communities across the country.

Speaking during a funds drive at Saseta Girls High School Sports ground in Konoin constituency in aid of 100 youth groups, the Eldoret North MP said the entire Kalenjin community would be consulted on the party of choice.

“The political party which we will use as a vehicle for the 2012 General Election will be unveiled this Christmas and consultations are in top gear among the Kalenjin community leaders,” he said.

Ruto said gone are the days when a few leaders would dictate on the political future of the community and who to support for the country’s chief executive.

Presidential ambitions

Ruto who was accompanied by MPs Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu), Charles Keter (Belgut), Zakayo Cheruiyot (Kuresoi) Konoin MP and host Julius Kones and former Konoin MP Sammy Koech said the community will support one of their own to take over power in the next polls.

The Eldoret North MP was reacting to calls from leaders present to declare the party the community will join in the 2012 General Election.

“We want to hear from you today about the position of a political party members of the Kalenjin will use in 2012. We have been talking about this for so long and it is high time we know it,” Koech said.

Ruto brushed aside his suspension from Cabinet and said it will not deter his ambition for presidency and called on members of the Kalenjin community to stand in solidarity with him.

The Eldoret North MP said some powerful forces in the grand coalition government were out to tarnish his name ahead of the next polls.

“Despite all the road blocks placed on my path by my political enemies who are working round the clock for my down fall, I still harbour my presidential ambitions and I am telling them that they will not succeed in their dirty schemes,” he said.

Ruto said the Kalenjins have severed their relationship with Prime Minister Raila Odinga and he will not get the backing of the community in future.

He said the stand taken by the community to vote, as a block during the referendum on the new Constitution was a clear pointer of what to expect in the 2012 General Election.