All set for URP, TNA rally as Ruto seeks backing

By Vincent Bartoo

It’s all systems go for the planned TNA and URP rally on Sunday to formally announce their pre-election deal.

In Rift Valley, plans are afoot by Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s supporters to travel to Nakuru for the rally at Afraha Stadium.

Travel and accommodation plans were being finalised as Ruto traversed the region to rally the community behind the pact ahead of Sunday’s historic event.

After seeking blessings from elders in Nakuru and Eldoret on Wednesday and Thursday respectively, Ruto on Thursday traveled to Marigat in Baringo and then Chepareria in Pokot to seek the approval of his supporters on his new political move.

The Eldoret North MP is also scheduled to hold a major rally at Eldoret’s 64 Stadium today and another one on tomorrow in Kapkatet, which is in the South Rift.

“The two rallies are symbolic because it is at 64 and Kapkatet that we as Kalenjins meet to decide major decisions touching on our community,” said Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny.

Stamp of approval

He said the two rallies would be used “to put a stamp of approval on the alliance between URP and TNA.”

Ruto is also using the meetings ahead of the Sunday rally to prevail upon the community to accept the fact that his name would not be on the presidential ballot.

“Some of you have been sending me messages on my phone still asking why I am not running. I have come to explain to you why,” he said.

He said he opted out of the race due to stiff competition and the legal requirement that a presidential contender must garner 50 plus one in popular vote.

“He would have managed either third or fourth place and you could as well have forgotten being part of the next Government,” he said.

The URP-TNA pact has, however, sparked political apprehension in Rift Valley especially among aspirants in the two parties.

The proposed zoning to reflect the individual party strengths has not gone down well particularly with TNA aspirants in the region.

During the elders meeting in Eldoret, Ruto said that his alliance with TNA leader Uhuru Kenyatta did not mean that Rift Valley residents should vote for TNA.

“Let us rally and unite behind URP to make it stronger. Our target is to have at most 110 MPs so I have told you to support our presidential bid but on the ground vote for URP candidates,” he said.