Deputy President William Ruto on Wednesday alleged a scheme to incite Rift Valley communities to violence ahead of the election next Tuesday.
Ruto made the remarks as he wrapped up his tour of Mt Kenya, accusing Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and PS Karanja Kibicho of orchestrating the stratagem.
He said it was aimed at portraying the residents — and by implication himself — as hostile.
The two, Ruto said, have plotted to particularly divide communities to sabotage voting in the DP's backyard.
The DP assured residents of their peaceful coexistence, saying they should refuse to be divided.
“We want to put you (Matiang'i and Kibicho) on notice that we are not going to allow you to incite the people by using hate pamphlets, chiefs and other public servants…you cannot take us backwards,” he said.
Matiang'i and Kibicho have separately rubbished all Ruto's claims.
Without making direct reference to the DP, Matiang'i on Tuesday said some leaders appear inoculated against speaking the truth and dismissed the assertions as "nonsense".
Kibicho said voters will not be coerced to vote in a certain pattern.
But on Wednesday, Ruto said Matiang'i and Kibicho have sensed their candidate, Raila Odinga, is losing and have now resorted to machinations.
“This is our country and you not are going to create conflict merely because one political faction is going to lose, you must accept to lose honourably, Kenya is greater than any politician," the UDA candidate said.
“Kenyans deserve a free, fair and transparent election. We are from there and we are not going back, we are marching forward to the prosperity of Kenya.”
His running mate Rigathi Gachagua sensationally claiming a strategic meeting to make trouble was held by Rift Valley regional commissioner Mohamed Maalim alongside Nakuru and Eldoret county commissioners.
The aim is to cause disharmony and drive a narrative that the DP was behind it.
Maalim declined to comment.
“I am aware of the accusations but let us not discuss it. You know we do not engage in altercations with politicians,” he told the Star.
Gachagua warned public servants that should they participate in any partisan politics they will be dealt with.
He said Mt Kenya was solidly behind Ruto and that intimidation would not make residents change their hearts.
Ruto made stopovers at Kerugoya, Kagio and Thika where he also said he was more qualified for the top job than Raila.
“Are we going to entrust our country to people who are operating on guesswork? Our competitors have no plan, they are working on sketches,” he said
He said while he concurs with President Uhuru Kenyatta on all other issues, he strongly opposes his rallying behind Raila as his successor.
Accompanying the team were National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Senator Kimani Wamatangi and MPs Moses Kuria, Ndindi Nyoro and Charles Ngagua among others.
(Edited by V. Graham)
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