Deputy President William Ruto, Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula and ANC's Musalia Mudavadi and a host of United Democratic Alliance MPs slowed down their attacks on President Uhuru Kenyatta during their Gatundu South rally on Friday.
Ruto while addressing Mutomo village residents, a stone throw-away from Uhuru’s Ichaweri home, pleaded with the President not to ‘stab’ his back ahead of the August 9 polls.
“I am sending you the people of Gatundu with a lot of humility with a message to my friend and brother President Uhuru Kenyatta to remind him of the far we’ve come. Tell him to leave the battle between me and Raila to us,” Ruto said.
Ruto’s tone and address to Mutomo residents were calm unlike in his previous meetings where he took hardline stances against the President.
His Kenya Kwanza co-principals and MPs including Alice Wahome (Kandara), Kimani Ichungw’a (Kikuyu), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira) and Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) among others too softened their hard stances against Uhuru.
“I am asking my friend the President to let me face Raila in the race for the Presidency alone. He should not use the political sword we have been using together to undermine my pursuit,” Ruto said.
He recalled that during the two terms he and the President sought re-election, they always asked for the blessings, prayers and support of Gatundu voters, including from Mama Ngina Kenyatta herself.
“At the time we were facing criminal charges at the Hague, we came here for your prayers and blessings together with my friend the President. When we were seeking re-election you prayed for us and we won despite hard circumstances. I have come here to thank you,” Ruto told Mutomo residents.
While responding to a plea by a section of Mutomo residents over imminent evictions to pave way for the expansion of Mama Ngina University, the DP said no one will lose their land over the proposed expansion of the institution.
“The government you elected respects the rule of law and we shall ensure justice is served. I want to assure you that nobody will lose their land,” Ruto said.
Ruto was accompanied by among others Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, his Thika counterpart Patrick Wainaina'Jungle' and Senator Kimani Wamatangi who are eyeing the Kiambu governorship.
