You embarrassed Kenyans by supporting Raila, Ruto tells Uhuru

Deputy President William Ruto has termed President Uhuru Kenyatta's support for Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odinga as an embarrassment and a big let-down to Kenyans.

The remarks at a well attended campaign rally at Kabarnet show ground in Baringo county on Monday were with cheers and ‘yote yawezekana bila Uhuru’ (all is possible without Uhuru) chants from the crowd. 

"Hata wewe rais saa zingine unatuchomea (sometimes Mr President you embarrass us Kenyans),” Ruto said.

The DP said he has no problem with Uhuru even after he abandoned him despite having stood by him as a friend in two consecutive elections in 2013 to 2017.

“But afterwards you finally saw none of us is capable of leading this country until you settled on huyu mzee wa kitendawili,” he said in reference to Raila.

Ruto, however, lauded the President for declaring that he will hand over power to whoever wins the August 9 general election and go home with the losers.

"Earlier on I was so worried when the president announced that he will not hand over the seat to me even if I win, but since he made the remarks yesterday I was relieved," he said.

He further called on Uhuru to spearhead an independent, free, fair and democratic election.

"He should quickly denounce any form of plans to use public servants among including local administration and chiefs to intimidate voters because we don’t want any violence,” the DP said.

Ruto further called on his opponent Raila to accept the election outcome  and prepare to go home with Uhuru if he loses the election.

The DP urged Kenyans to vote in a government which understands the challenges of the ordinary Kenyan saying the Kenya Kwanza administration will improve the economy by enhancing food production. 

"We shall also allocate Sh200 billion every year to boost industrialization, manufacturing and agro-processing,” he said.

Kenya Kwanza, he added, will offer direct employment to over five million jobless youth who hold certificates and degrees.

Ruto further said his government will allocate Sh50 billion for interest free loans to the lower cadre Kenyans through the bottom up economic model, provided one is a member of a Sacco.

On security, the DP pledged to end frequent banditry and cattle rustling in the country.

“We had earlier planned to recruit and deploy enough National Police Reservists (NPR) but some cartels used force to have them withdrawn,” Ruto said.

During the presidential debate on July 26, Ruto claimed the NPR were withdrawn from the bandit-prone Kerio Valley to punish him.

He,however, said the fight against banditry is not a matter of excuse, sympathy or compromise.

"But we must offer them security because they equally pay taxes like every other Kenyans,” Ruto said in reference to victims of bandit attacks. 

He said he will ensure enough security officers are deployed and correct measures are put in place to end the banditry menace. 

Ruto was accompanied by Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader  Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula.

Other leaders present were MPs Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), Charles Kamuren (Baringo South), Elgeyo-Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Uasin-Gishu Governeor Jackson Mandago, Baringo UDA gubernatorial candidate Benjamin Cheboi and Baringo Woman Representative candidate Florence Jematia.