Ruto, Raila in war of words over UDA rally chaos

Chaos marred Deputy President William Ruto’s rally at Jacaranda in Embakasi East constituency, Nairobi on Sunday January 16.

The DP who was on a campaign trail had his rally disrupted severally by stone-throwing youth who chanted pro ODM leader Raila Odinga’s slogans.

Police were forced to use teargas canisters to keep the rowdy youth at bay, even as the DP lost his cool and linked Mr Odinga to the disruption.

“Bwana kitendawili (riddles) the master of violence, you have planned violence for us in Kondele, here in Embakasi East and we know your signature.”

“This violence you have organized in this republic and want to use it as a means to get to public office, you will not succeed,” an agitated DP said.

He went on: “You cannot tell us that you are interested in the unity of our nation with this kind of violence.”

“These young people you are using to throw stones are only available for you for the next six months, after that they will be unavailable because we will give them jobs and make them work for their sweat,” added Dr Ruto.

Garissa Township MP Aden Duale linked Mr Odinga and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino to the violence.

“Babu Owino we are telling you if you think you can win the next election in Embakasi East through violence then you have lost it,” Mr Duale said.

Mr Odinga’s spokesperson Dennis Onyango, however, accused the DP of sponsoring the disruption of his rally to paint the ODM leader in bad light.

“It is not beyond Ruto to sponsor the disruption of his own rally so that he can find an excuse to remove madoadoa in the Rift Valley,” said Mr Onyango.

He went on: “Violence has been part and parcel of Ruto’s brand of politics right from the time he introduced himself to the country through YK92 through 1997 to 2008.”

Mr Onyango claimed that they had information that youths were being paid to attend the DP’s Jacaranda rally.

“Either Ruto ran out of money or the people he trusted with the money did not pay all the youths. We all know what that leads to,” added Mr Odinga’s spokesperson.

The DP had earlier attended a Church service at the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (P.C.E.A) — Neema Parish-Pipeline, Embakasi South, Nairobi County before addressing stop over rallies at Pipeline and Kware in Embakasi South before heading to Jacaranda in Embakasi East.

He promised that his government will set aside Sh100 billion for youth employment.

The DP promised that his administration, in continuity of the Jubilee Government’s Big Four agenda, will set aside Sh100 billion for housing, agro processing, value addition and manufacturing to create youth employment as a matter of priority.

He also promised Sh50 billion for small scale traders which he noted will be disbursed at the ward level.

“We shall ensure proper Agriculture to boost farming and ensure enough affordable food and also ensure each and every Kenyan is fully covered by NHIF to be able to access free medical care,” said Dr Ruto.