Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga traded insults Friday as IEBC announced electoral timelines in what is promising to be an electrifying presidential vote.
Raila called Ruto a thief who belongs to jail but the DP described the former Prime Minister as a project of a few tycoons keen to use him to protect their wealth.
Speaking as he marked his 77 birthday, Raila said Ruto has been donating up to Sh100 million in a single month, something that even blue-chip companies like Safaricom cannot manage.
"The millions dished out by Ruto in churches, to women's groups and for buying bishops' cars are proceeds of graft," Raila claimed.
“Even Safaricom cannot donate that much. These are people who should be in prison. The way it is done in China.”
On Twitter, Ruto wished him Happy Birthday, good health and many more years.
But scalding response whilecampaigning in Bungoma, the DP sensationally claimed Raila is a project of the Mt Kenya Foundation, a group of wealthy businessmen from President Uhuru Kenyatta's backyard.
Last month, the foundation endorsed Raila for President.
“The people of Kenya will decide. We are not going to get a person who is going to protect the interests, business, wealth and influence of a few people,” Ruto said.
He said the tycoons have taken the economy hostage and are keen to have Raila as president so they can perpetuate their "selfishness".
The two exchanged bitter words as the electoral commission announced key electoral timelines defining the August 9 context.
The commission announced the start of the second round of mass voter registration targeting 4.5 million voters, a number that if realised could sway the outcome.
The first domestic round was a dismal failure. The target was six million new voters but only 1.5 million signed up.
The drive will begin on January 17 and end on February 6.
For Kenyans in the diaspora, voter registration will begin in Kenyan embassies and consulates from January 21 to February 6.
Diaspora voter registration was previously carried out in Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and South Africa.
Seven more countries have been added: the UK, Canada, the US, South Sudan, Qatar, the UAE and Germany.
“The second phase of the ECVR (Enhanced Voter Registration) offers an opportunity for Kenyans who missed the first round to register, transfer, or change their particulars,” IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati announced.
Recently, I heard him [Ruto] say that [Sh6,000] is not possible. He wants to continue moving around with millions conducting harambees for women, youth and churches
He also announced that auditing the voter register will begin soon after the mass voter registration.
The August election is promising to be a two-horse race between Raila and Ruto. Recent polls suggested a dead heat, though Raila was gradually gaining.
On Friday, Raila hit out at critics of his promised Sh6,000 monthly stipend for poor households, saying the social protection plan would come to fruition.
“Recently, I heard him [Ruto] say that [Sh6,000] is not possible. He wants to continue moving around with millions conducting harambees for women, youth and churches.”
The ODM leader, promising to transform the economy in three years if elected, said it was regrettable that the dreams of the country’s forefathers remain unfulfilled.
He asked youths who have not registered as voters to turn out in large numbers and register as that would be the key to their liberation.
“The third liberation must be led by the youth. I am ready to lead as Jaramogi did in the clamour for multiparty democracy. The third liberation is about the economy.
They have told their person [Raila] to come and change the Constitution to make an imperial president who controls Parliament, the Judiciary and the Executive
“I have travelled all over the world... Africa, Asia, America so I know it is possible. It is sad that we cannot even make needles. We can make this country industrialised. We can do it,” Raila said.
On the campaign trail, Ruto said the billionaires are the forces behind the push to change the Constitution to instal an imperial president who will protect their interests.
“They have told their person [Raila] to come and change the Constitution to make an imperial president who controls Parliament, the Judiciary and the Executive,” he said.
The DP tore into Raila’s Sh6,000 monthly stipend campaign pledge, saying the cash is a handout that will not fix the towering problem of joblessness.
“They have told him if he changes the Constitution and makes an imperial president, then look for some small handout and give it to youth so that they can keep quiet,” he added.
Ruto said of Raila, "My other competitors do not have a development record despite being in government for decades."
He made a passionate case for his bottom-up economic model, saying the blueprint will salvage millions of Kenyans stuck at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
The DP said it will radically transform lives by ensuring that more than four million jobless youths get jobs.
“We have an opportunity to form a government that understands the common man and end the high handedness of a few people who are holding the economy hostage," he said.
“This year, we will stop tribalism, high handedness and contempt. This year we are putting Sh100 billion into housing, agro-processing, value addition and manufacturing to plan employment for the youth.”
The vote hunt between Raila and Ruto is likely to extend to the diaspora with the IEBC extending voter listing. Diaspora voters can only cast presidential ballots.
Kenyan citizens who apply for registration would be required to produce a valid Kenyan passport and present their ID to designated officers. Those in the EAC member states may use their ID cards
On Friday, Chebukati said the commission is determined to progressively actualise the rights of Kenyans living outside the country to vote.
“The right of Kenyan citizens residing outside Kenya will be based on the presence of a Kenyan embassy, high commission or consulate in line with the law,” he added.
Chebukati said the commission will provide a BVR (Biometric Voter Registration) kit at the Anniversary Towers headquarters for Kenyans in the diaspora who may have travelled to Nairobi.
“Kenyan citizens who apply for registration would be required to produce a valid Kenyan passport and present their ID to designated officers. Those in the EAC member states may use their ID cards,” Chebukati said.
He also said a voter wishing to vote in the diaspora should visit the headquarters to change their details.
“We assure Kenyans we are on course in the preparations for the general election,"Chebukati said. "The commission is alive to the process and will continue engaging all stakeholders."
(Edited by V. Graham)
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