Ruto castigates ‘slave trade’ politicians as Kuria faults Raila over campaigns

Deputy President William Ruto is welcomed by Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and other leaders in Ruiru on June 26, 2016. Mr Ruto urged politicians to shun petty politics and engage in bringing development and unity among Kenyans. PHOTO | MARY WAMBUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The DP added that the countrywide tours he and President Uhuru Kenyatta are making are aimed at uniting Kenyans from all regions.
  • Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria said he was disappointed by what he called Cord leader Raila Odinga’s attempt to politicise ongoing peace campaigns by the eight MPs recently detained over hate speech allegations.
  • The MP said Mr Odinga was using the peace campaign as a weapon to attack the government.
  • On the 2022 politics, Mr Ruto said neither he nor the President had a preferred running mate.

Deputy President William Ruto has urged politicians to shun petty politics and engage in bringing development and unity among Kenyans.

Speaking in Ruiru Town on Sunday when he launched the Medium Sacco and its website at AIPCA Church, the DP said everyone was free to interact and visit any part of Kenya without suspicion.

He described those claiming that ODM Secretary-General Ababu Namwamba had been paid by the ruling Jubilee coalition to ditch the opposition Cord as “living in the slave trade era”.

“We want to eliminate the slave culture which got people thinking that others should only speak after they have been permitted to do so.

“Those alleging that we have bought Mr Namwamba are slave trade masters, who think that people should only speak after they are allowed to,” said Mr Ruto.

The DP added that the countrywide tours he and President Uhuru Kenyatta are making are aimed at uniting Kenyans from all regions.

“We have a duty to unite all Kenyans.

“We will build bridges of friendship, brotherhood and unity so that we can have one tribe called Kenya,” said Mr Ruto.

DISAPPOINTED BY RAILA

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria said he was disappointed by what he called Cord leader Raila Odinga’s attempt to politicise ongoing peace campaigns by the eight MPs recently detained over hate speech allegations.

“Raila has taken over the peace campaign caravan as his political tool,” said Mr Kuria, who was among the detainees.

“We had agreed not to politicise court matters but Raila Odinga is doing exactly that,” Mr Kuria said.

The MP said Mr Odinga was using the peace campaign as a weapon to attack the government.

On the 2022 politics, Mr Ruto said neither he nor the President had a preferred running mate and urged Mt Kenya leaders to let the people decide the most suitable candidate for the position.

Mr Ruto was reacting to Juja MP Francis Waititu’s statement that Kiambu Governor William Kabogo is the most suitable candidate to be Mr Ruto running mate.

However, Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu warned Mt Kenya leaders against positioning themselves as the most eligible running mates for Mr Ruto in 2022.