•He said Raila should look for another manifesto.
•The DP said Kenyans want peaceful elections
Image: GEORGE OWITI
Deputy President William Ruto has told ODM leader Raila Odinga to shun violence ahead of the August 9 vote.
Ruto urged his competitors not to continue to give excuses about violence.
"I want to urge my competitors to ensure that in our election equation there is no violence," Ruto said.
He spoke during UDA public rally at Kangundo Town in Machakos County on Thursday.
"The ODM leader must disown violence. He cannot continue to give excuses about violence," he said.
"And those who have a good track record of violence must give Kenyans an undertaking that they will not use violence during the campaign period and when they lose in the August 9 elections," he added.
According to Ruto, they must commit that they will accept the verdict of Kenyans and that they won't swear themselves in.
"They will pack their small bags and go home," he said.
Ruto further said Raila should look for another manifesto. "Handouts cannot give you votes."
The DP said Kenyans want peaceful elections and that nobody will force them to make voting decisions.
DP Ruto is seeking to popularise his UDA party during his tour of Oldonyo Sabuk, Tala, Kangundo, Kivaani, Kakuyuni, Kathiani, Mitaboni and Joska towns in Machakos County.
He said some 160 MPs had joined the party and urged Kenyans not to allow themselves to be divided because of political differences.
"We want Kenyans to unite and work together and form a government that will serve everybody," he said.