- Ruto’s remarks stemmed from Mutua’s assertions that they were deceived by the Azimio bosses.
- Mutua said they pulled out of Azimio because of mistreatment.
Image: ALFRED MUTUA /TWITTER
A day after Governor Alfred Mutua decamped to Kenya Kwanza, Deputy President William Ruto stormed Machakos and persuaded residents against electing Raila Odinga.
Ruto, who campaigned in Tala, Matungulu constituency, on Tuesday in what appeared to be Mutua’s homecoming attacked Raila as an untrustworthy leader who will deceive Kenyans.
“If someone can con leaders and tell them lies, don’t you think they will disturb you and make you their slaves?” the DP asked.
Ruto’s remarks stemmed from Mutua’s assertions that he and his party, alongside Governor Amason Kingi's PAA were deceived by the Azimio bosses.
This is after they declined to disclose the details of the Azimio-One Kenya coalition agreement that was deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu.
“There are some people who think Kenyans are fools. Surely, in the 21st century, how can anybody blindfold leaders that you can sign an agreement that you have no copy?” he said. “Isn’t that conmanship?”
Speaking moments after the DP, Mutua said they pulled out of Azimio because of mistreatment.
“I was in the house called Azimio but I found that house was full of lies," he said.
"I want to ask you, when you are seducing a girl, isn’t that the time you are supposed to be nice?
“But if they are seducing us wrongly, throwing us out, lying to us….. what will happen if that girl gets pregnant?”
On Monday, Mutua and his party pulled out of Azimio headed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila.
Mutua cited failure by the coalition leaders to release coalition agreement and the decision by the big boys in the outfit to zone the country as reasons for decamping the jumbo coalition.
But in a quick rejoinder, Azimio executive director Raphael Tuju dismissed Mutua's allegations.
Tuju said Mutua wanted the Azimio document to use for negotiations with the DP’s Kenya Kwanza.
Tuju said Mutua was already in talks with the Kenya Kwanza for a while before making the announcement on Monday.
“Some of the people who said they needed this document, we know that they were negotiating with the other side and they needed it for purposes of benchmarking,” Tuju said.
Ruto made a case for his development blueprint – bottom up economic model – saying if elected, he will turnaround the hard economic times that has subjected Kenyans to exploitative shylocks.
The DP said he will establish a special fund with seed capital where micro, small and medium scale traders will borrow money at affordable rates.
If elected, he promised, his administration will revamp agriculture sector, reducing fertiliser prices to Sh2,500 from the current Sh6,500 per bag.
ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi said Kenyans were tired with Uhuru’s regime, which has made ‘life unbearable’.
“We are tired of Azimio. Prices of unga are up, we are tired. Prices of petrol and kerosene have gone up. We have only three months and they go home,” he said.
Mudavadi chided Azimio for subjecting Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka to an interview to get the running mate slot in the coalition.
“They are telling us that now, they do not know Kalonzo. Who doesn’t know Kalonzo?” he asked.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)