• Fears of some falling out from those dissatisfied with the process the DP will use iN picking his running mate.
• Ruto said he plans to quit Jubilee Party for his newfound United Democratic Alliance, emphasising the ruling outfit is now in ruins and has lost its founding ideals.
Image: DOUGLAS OKIDDY
Deputy President William Ruto said on Tuesday he is quitting the "dying" Jubilee Party for his newfound United Democratic Alliance, UDA.
It was the first time Ruto has disclosed that he will definitely quit Jubilee, although in the past he has hinted at breaking ties.
In an exclusive interview with the Radio Jambo team in Karen, the Deputy President also predicted an exodus of disgruntled Jubilee members to UDA in "a stampede" by November.
Ruto said the move to UDA is based on the fact the ruling party has been rocked by divisions, has lost its ideals and is beyond salvage.
Ruto also discussed how he will settle on a running mate.
Apart from voter numbers the second in command will bring, Ruto said intense negotiations will be involved.
As for an announcement, that will wait.
“The tme is coming for that. We will sit down and agree. We will listen to Kenyans and there will be a a give and take,” he said in the interview on Radio Jambo, the top Kiswahili radio station in the Radio Africa Group.
The hot contest for running mate is shaping up among Central, Western and Coast regions who are eyeing the powerful slot.
Names floated as potential running mates include former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki, outgoing Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and one of the Nasa principals said to be on the DP's radar.
Image: FILE
Insiders say Ruto has hinted he could also pick a woman for the high-profile job.
The DP said Jubilee is in ruins and has lost its founding ideals.
UDA has an agreement with Jubilee Party, a position giving the DP and his troops legal leeway to promote its activities.
Ruto said he is determined to build UDA into a national movement “that will take over the space left by the dying Jubilee” by uniting all Kenyans without any discrimination.
The Deputy President said he tried his best to have the issues within Jubilee resolved and give the party traction without success.
"As we speak now, five female MPs are being haunted by Jubilee seeking to remove them from the party," he said.
"They have removed those representing people with disabilities ...and when the desire to kick out some members from the party starts, that marks the end of that party.
“The people whom the President [Uhuru Kenyatta] left in charge have wrecked and spoilt the party. It is no longer the Jubilee Uhuru and I formed. Those people now have a sole duty of chasing [away] members.”
Ruto predicted an exodus from Jubilee to UDA, saying some members are buying time for fear of persecution by the state.
“Even as I speak with you, all the Jubilee leaders, all the governors, and even those leaders holding positions are just waiting for the right time. In November, you will see people political stampede to UDA. You will be astonished,” Ruto said.
“Many people have been instilled with fear that if you make a move in this [my] direction, we [the Jubilee government] will launch a case against you. We will send DCI officials to your doorstep,” he said.
He also pointed out that the planned merger of ODM and Jubilee has offended many members of the ruling outfit who, he said, are not willing to join or be associated with the opposition party.
Ruto said UDA and other like-minded parties such as Kiunjuri's The Service Party (TSP), Moses Kuria's PEP, among others, will sit down and agree on how to approach the 2022 General Election.
(Edited by V. Graham)