Ruto’s close confidant and URP activist told The Star that Ruto was reaching out to leaders across the political divide in a bid to cement his candidature in the next elections.
He said the Deputy President has been in close talks with “friendly” TNA legislators and ODM MPs perceived to be rebellious.
“Am telling you Ruto has made up his mind and will be on the ballot come 2017. He is reaching out to several leaders and hopes to pick his running mate from the Luhya community,” he said.
Describing Ruto as a kingmaker who wants to be the King in 2017, he said the Deputy President was quietly not happy about TNA treatment in the Government.
“Am telling you things are not right at the Deputy President’s offices. All the budget expenditures must be approved by State house and Ruto is not happy with this,” he said. He pointed out that Ruto was not happy with the way URP, a major coalition partner with TNA is being treated especially in Government appointments.
Nandi Hills Alfred Keter has been on record that the Kalenjin nation was getting increasingly impatient with the Jubilee appointments which he says are skewed towards one party yet the community was told the Jobs would be shared on a 50-50 power sharing plan.
Keter has claimed in the past that though most URP leaders were concerned, most of them were timid and preferred discussing the matter off the record.
According to him, the Deputy President is a thoroughly frustrated man in government but is unable to take any action due to lack of an alternative political strategy at the moment.
Yesterday, the URP activist who spoke to The Star on condition of anonymity due to sensitivity of the matter said Ruto had a hand in the botched ODM elections at Kasarani last Month.
“He had identified a specific lineup and even sponsored and if could have taken over leadership ODM would be warming up for a coalition with URP in future,” he said.
He said a prominent lawyer closer to Ruto was tasked to handle a petition case against one of the candidates for ODM posts, a clear indication who he was working for in ODM party.
In January, it also emerged that Ruto and Ford Kenya Leader Moses Wetang’ula were quietly working on a political pact ahead on 2017.
Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa was quoted during a political meeting in Trans Nzoia in January saying; “we are happy that Ruto wants to work with Wetang’ula.”
It is said Ruto believes Wetang’ula is a strong politician who has the capacity to mobilize the luhya, unlike former DPM Musalia Mudavadi and Eugene Wamalwa.
Some of the MPs from Western said to be closer to Ruto include; Ayub Savula (Lugari), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Bonny Otsiula (Bumula), Malulu Injendi (Malava) and Dan Wanyama (Webuye West)
– star.co.ke
