Uhuru, Ruto hold joint rally, seal deal

By KIPCHUMBA KEMEI

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and United Republican Party presidential aspirant William Ruto held a joint rally to reassure their supporters of an alliance ahead of the elections.

The two expressed confidence that a coalition deal will be struck before the December 4 deadline.

“We will enter a joint coalition and compete during the presidential nominations and whoever emerges the winner will be the flagbearer and the other his running mate,” Ruto said during the rally at Nairegi-Enkare trading centre, Narok.

The announcement comes two days after Ruto denied press reports that he will be Uhuru’s running mate in their quest for the country’s top job.

“Nobody will play the second fiddle. We have decided to compete,” said the Eldoret North MP.

Uhuru stood at the podium with Ruto and asked the crowd: “Do you want us to work together?”

The audience roared in approval to which Uhuru said their working together is to unite the country contrary to claims it was tribal-based.

Ruto asked: “If Uhuru becomes president and Ruto his deputy, is there anything wrong? And if I become president and Uhuru my deputy, is there anything wrong?”

Speaking earlier in Lari District, Kiambu County, Uhuru hit out at those saying a Kikuyu should not succeed President Kibaki.

It is these sentiments Kenyatta believes are aimed at putting him out of the presidential race since he is a Kikuyu.

“There are people who say that someone from the Kikuyu community should not become the president. Where is that written in the Constitution? Everybody has a right to vie as well as elect whoever he likes,” Uhuru said at a stopover in Kimende.

He was at Kijabe Mission Hospital where he was officiating the laying of foundation of a paediatric complex at the hospital on behalf of the president.

He was accompanied by Health assistant minister Kazungu Kambi, area MP David Njuguna, Juja MP William Kabogo and his Githunguri counterpart Njoroge Baiya.

The two aspirants said they would start holding joint rallies and added that the announcement does not mean they will not enter into talks with other like-minded leaders.

“We are doing this after wider consultations and for the sake of unity and prosperity of the country. Everybody who subscribes to our ideas is free to join us,” said Uhuru.

Ruto flew into the trading centre accompanied by Aden Duale, Raphael Letimalo, Gideon Konchella and Mohammed Mahmoud.

The DPM was accompanied by Internal Security Minister Kato ole Metito, assistant minister Jebii Kilimo, MPs Maison Leshomo, Rachel Shebesh and Kabogo.