Ruto: Deputy President William Ruto has said he does not need to be endorsed by the deep state to win the 2022 general elections.
Ruto has said he will seek support from ordinary people.
The DP said his competitors are waiting for direction and endorsement by the system.
“There are those being assembled and endorsed by the so-called system and deep state but as a hustler, I cannot seek endorsement from them,” Ruto said.
He spoke on Monday at his Karen residence when he met more than 3,000 members of the Wamama na Hustler, a group supporting his presidential bid.
The DP appeared to scoff at his boss President Uhuru Kenyatta and influential people within government.
In recent months, Uhuru has given signals that he supports Raila as his preferred successor.
Two months ago, in a joint tour of Kibera, Uhuru indirectly endorsed Raila, saying he wanted someone who will continue his development legacy.
The President, who has fallen out with his deputy, has been trying to convince One Kenya Alliance principals to back Raila to form a formidable force against Ruto.
Already the international community led by the US has warned that the will of the people should prevail. They have cautioned that no one should interfere with succession politics.
Ruto said any leader seeking the country’s leadership must be driven by the genuine desire to unite and transform lives.
He said leaders should not be pushed to power by individuals who are keen on maintaining the status quo.
“We want to ensure that every Kenyan affords a meal and a decent source of income. That way, we will be moving forward together,” the DP said.
He challenged his competitors to rally behind a candidate who will face him in the general election.
Ruto said more than 10 candidates were leading tribal parties and had failed to transform them into national outfits that can further the development agenda of the country.
He said the parties must not be given a chance in Kenya’s political arena.
“They are the impediments of our development; they further hate, division and ethnicity,” Ruto said.
The DP said it was impossible to unite the country if everybody has their political party from his corner, community and the region
He urged Kenyans to join the United Democratic Alliance as it is the only political party that is issue-driven and people-centred.
The DP made the remarks in the wake of claims by his allies that the hand of government is visible in every aspect of Raila’s campaigns.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro said the President and his handlers planning his succession have adopted the Building Bridges Initiative strategy where they are forcing governors to support Raila.
“Governors are being threatened with consequences including arrests. The presence of government officials in Raila’s events is clear evidence that Uhuru is pushing for Raila,” he told the Star.
Leaders present in the Ruto meeting included Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, MPs Jayne Kihara (Naivasha Town), Millicent Omanga (Nominated), Isaac Mwaura (Nominated), Patrick Wainaina (Thika Town) and George Theuri (Embakasi West).
Others were Nixon Korir (Lang’ata), Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central), James Gakuya (Embakasi North) and Simon Mbugua (EALA), Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi and former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru.
Ichung’wa said Ruto’s competitors were confused and lacked any agenda for the country.
“The conversation has changed but they remain stuck in their agenda of discussing personality,” he said.
Theuri dismissed those sitting in hotels and planning leadership succession of the country.
Korir said UDA was keen on uniting all Kenyans, their backgrounds notwithstanding.
Waiguru said the support shown to Dr Ruto when he toured Kirinyaga on Sunday was a carbon copy of all Mt Kenya counties.
“The region is firmly behind Ruto because of his development credentials,” she said.
The county boss called on the country to rally behind the Deputy President because of the energy and focus he has in making Kenya a better country.
Omanga hailed Ruto for his continued support and empowerment of women.
Wanjiru trashed the Sh6,000 monthly stipend proposed by Raila, saying Nairobians were after jobs and not handouts.
Havi said the bottom-up economic plan has now got a strong foundation from him as a lawyer.
