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Ruto pointed out that UDA party will be ready and willing to join hands with other alliances in a bid to edge out their competitors in the August elections. /FILE

By:

Irene Mwangi

Posted:

Mar,15-2022 23:50:17

Deputy President William Ruto has exuded confidence that the time was opportune for him to lead the hustler nation in the country.

Ruto while giving his acceptance speech in Kasarani on Tuesday stated he will not bow out in the August elections saying he will fight to the very end.

“I am ready and determined and will give you a campaign that you will all be proud of,” he stated.

Ruto pointed out that UDA party will be ready and willing to join hands with other alliances in a bid to edge out their competitors in the August elections.

The Deputy President noted that with the largest political party in the country that boast around 7 million supporters, he stood above the rest.

“UDA is a party where you will not be asked about your father’s name or to give your bank account. This is the party for every Kenyan from every walk of life,” he observed.

While elaborating his journey of leadership, the UDA Party leader insisted that he was well cut out for the race amidst his competitors.

Ruto thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for the political journey they have walked together in the ten-year term since 2013.

“I obliged when the President asked me to give him space to work on his personal legacy as the 4th President of Kenya,” said Ruto.

This is even as he lamented of being alienated since 2018 with the formation of handshake between President Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement Leader Raila Odinga.

Even so he alluded it was a blessing disguise as it enabled him to solidify his support across the country.

“That’s when I was pushed to the periphery of a government I participated in building, however this gave me time to interact with common wananchi,” he said.

You are made of Gold

In a hard-hitting speech delivered at the Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi, where the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Delegates Conference crowned him its presidential candidate, Ruto vowed to sustain the momentum to clinch the presidency despite the ruling Jubilee Party's attempt to stop him.

"I want to thank those of you (elected leaders) who stood with me. You're made of good metal; you're made of fine gold," he said as delegates broke into a thunderous cheer.

"Si uchawi, ni maombi! (It's not witchcraft, it's through prayers)," the crowd comprising 5,000 delegates roared.

Ruto accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of weaponizing State agencies against those he differed with politically to orchestrate a desired succession plan.

He said Governors in the ruling party were threated by summons from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) while businesspeople allied to him were intimidated through the Kenya Revenue Authority.

Ruto dismissed allegations raised against his allies as tramped up saying leaders allied to his chief opponent Raila Odinga, who enjoys the backing of President Kenyatta, were allowed to contravene laws with reckless abandon.

In his speech, Ruto vowed to ensure independent institutions including the National Police Service and the DCI under it get independent accounting officers to end reliance on budgets controlled by officials in the Office of the President who he said use budget allocation to gain leverage.

"We will grant these independent offices financial autonomy on day one in office," he told the delegates conference also attended by allied leaders including Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Jimi Wanjigi (Safina), Moses Kuria (CCK), William Kabogo (Tujijenge Party) and Moses Wetangula (FORD Kenya).

Ruto's Jubilee Party breakaway faction boosted of numerical strength with at least 100 lawmakers switching allegence.

Governors who moved to Ruto's camp after he claimed the Party for Development and Reforms, a Jubilee Coalition partner, which he rebranded to UDA include Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Salim Mvurya (Kwale) and Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri). ODM's Josphat Nanok (Turkana) also joined the UDA outfit rising to become one of its luminaries.

It is Bottom-Up, Not Bottom Vs Up

Deputy President William Ruto clarified that his economic model bottom-up is anchored on empowering those at the bottom of the pyramid to realize economic prosperity and not a rallying call for a class war pitting the poor against the privileged.

Speaking at the party’s NDC, the United Democratic Alliance presidential candidate said that the hustler nation and their economic model is the only way to liberate Kenya.

“We want Kenyans to have the opportunity to hustle from the bottom – it is not bottom versus up, it is bottom up!” Ruto said.

DP Ruto said the last four years when he was sidelined in the government gave him the opportunity to reflect on the plight of ordinary Kenyans.

He told delegates he examined challenges facing the nation after President Uhuru Kenyatta informed him that he needed space to finalize on his legacy as the fourth President.

“I have learnt that our flash, comfortable and secure offices are accessible to people who need them the most,” he said.

Ruto noted that Hustler Nation is a young nation, saying the voice of Kenya’s young people will form an essential pillar of his government.

“Today, I know, without doubt, the time has come for me to represent the Hustler Nation and to secure its place at the decision-making table,” DP Ruto said.

Ruto criticized his competitors casting doubt on their motives, while urging Kenyans to make the best choice come August 9.

He claimed that his rivals are keen to revive the BBI, a constitutional review process annulled by the court twice, with an aim of expanding government to facilitate sharing positions of power.

“On the ballot, there will be two groups; one which believes that the way to the future of our country is through changing the constitution. On our side, we believe that the way to the future of our nation is by changing the economy,” said Ruto.

Source:

Capital FM