UDA to disqualify aspirants involved in attack on Raila's chopper - Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto has said the United Democratic Alliance will disqualify any aspirants who will be found to have involvement in the attack on ODM leader Raila Odinga's chopper in Uasin Gishu County.

Speaking at his Karen office on Saturday, Ruto insisted that UDA and all parties under the Kenya Kwanza alliance believe in a peaceful and progressive Kenya. 

"I have instructed the party to work with the police so that we can get to the root of what happened yesterday in Eldoret," he said.

"And if any of our party candidates were involved in the violence that was meted against Hon. Raila Odinga, we are going to take disciplinary action against them."

The second in command said every politician has the right to sell their agenda in every part of the country.

"We should listen, evaluate their policies and then decide who to support. Political violence is retrogressive, divisive and tears down our democracy. We condemn and reject it without reservation."

"We are firm believers in a democratic society, where every Kenyan politician, leader or candidate must be given the space and the opportunity to sell their ideas," he added.

Ruto called on members of UDA and aspirants to shun away from violence or violent acts against their opponents.

He reiterated that their contest is about ideas that will move Kenya into the future and every candidate must be given that opportunity, including their opponents.

"Violence cannot be part of the modus operandi of the UDA or our Kenya Kwanza coalition partners," the DP said.

After the attack the former Prime Minister Raila Odinga blamed it on Ruto's allies, Governor Jackson Mandagor and Soy MP Caleb Kositany.

"I call on the two, and all leaders from the region who believe in our constitution, to come out now, not later, condemn the incident and promise an end to the bizarre attempts to balkanize the country into ethnic and tribal party zones ahead of August election," read part Raila's statement.

"Despite the violence meted out on me and my team today, I remain optimistic that Kenya will hold peaceful, free and fair election in August."

So far, 14 suspects believed to behind the attack have been arrested, according to Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Stephen Kihara.