• Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko said she resolved to join UDA because it was committed to addressing challenges facing ordinary Kenyans.
• The legislators said UDA was a party with a national outlook that would accommodate all Kenyans irrespective of tribal, religious or social status.
Deputy President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that the United Democratic Alliance will embrace contests based on issues and development track records.
Ruto said there will be no shortcuts on matters pertaining to UDA nominations come 2022
Speaking at Ilposat farm, Kaputiei, when he led a section of UDA legislators in welcoming Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko into the party, Ruto said democracy is all about contests based on issues and development track record.
"As I welcome our sister Peris to UDA, I want to assure her that our party will embrace contests based on issues and development track record. We will work out on a win-win situation when election time comes," Ruto said.
The DP challenged his competitors to come up with their plans for Kenyans instead of wasting time on unnecessary boardroom meetings.
"As hustler movement, we have a plan and we have a candidate. Through the Hustler Nation, we have built a monumental national party that is poised to form the next government," Ruto said.
“Our competitors are still in boardrooms being interviewed by billionaires. Our plan is the Bottom-Up economic model; their only plan is to criticise our plan."
He was referring to ODM leader Raila Odinga's and OKA's dalliance with the Mt Kenya Foundation.
On Thursday, OKA co-principals were hosted to a meeting with members of the billionaire foundation as they seek endorsement for the country's top seat.
A week earlier, Raila was hosted by the foundation as he sought their endorsement to run for President.
Meanwhile, Ruto said the Bottom-Up economic model is about providing jobs to the jobless besides providing cheap credit and a favourable environment for small-scale businesses, farmers, and pastoralists.
Tobiko said she resolved to join UDA because it was committed to addressing challenges facing ordinary Kenyans.
She expressed optimism that the party would exercise free and fair nominations come 2022.
"I am not a coward. What I just want is free and fair nominations. I don't need a direct nomination, “Tobiko said.
“My family members have been asked to address press conferences because they have been intimidated. Cowards die many times before their death. But I am not a coward! I am not a coward! I am not a coward!"
The Kajiado East MP became the first female legislator from the Maasai community to be elected to the Parliament.
She won the seat in 2017 under the Jubilee Party ticket.
Some of the MPs who accompanied the DP were Mary Seneta, David Sankok, Janet Teiya, Liz Chelule, Jematia Sergon, Mohammed Ali, Sylvanus Osoro, Soipan Tuya, Beatrice Nkatha, Kimani Ichungwa, Iman Falhada, Gathoni Wa Muchomba and Rigathi Gachagua.
The legislators said UDA was a party with national outlook that would accommodate all Kenyans irrespective of tribal, religious or social status.
They said UDA was focused on politics based on issues, adding that it would not entertain petty rhetoric.
"We welcome all leaders to our party. It doesn't matter whether one has been with us for long or just joined. We are all equal," Ichungwa said.
Gachagua dismissed the ongoing talks between Mt Kenya Foundation and Opposition over 2022 elections, saying they were wasting time and resources