Deputy President William Ruto issued a press statement on Thursday August 4, alleging a plot by the government to interfere with the upcoming General Election.
Ruto, who is making his first stab at the presidency on UDA party under the Kenya Kwanza coalition, lamented about state intimidation and use of provincial administrators to influence voters to vote for his main opponent, Raila Odinga.
The press conference came as a surprise to many considering the deputy president is criticising a government he is still part of.
In a quick rejoinder, Raila Odinga’s children Winnie and Raila Odinga Junior took a swipe at the DP and asked him to prepare to be next opposition leader.
No doubt, there is no family which has tested the good and bad side of opposition politics more than raila Odinga’s who has been in opposition politics for the better part of his illustrious political career.
Winnie, who has witnessed his father lose five presidential elections, said she had gained enough experience to tell how a candidate who has sensed defeat behaves a few days to election.
“From my experience, ukianza ma pressers, ujue tu uko opposition (if you start press briefings just know you are in the opposition,” she tweeted.
On his part, Raila Odinga Junior asked William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza brigade to prepare for more painful experiences ahead (as opposition politicians).
“Opposition is not for the faint-hearted. You need good and heavy meals, lots of water, exercise and a very strong support system,” tweeted Junior.
The two siblings have been part and parcel of Raila’s political journey and hardly shy away from defending or confronting whoever attacks him in public.
They have been strong critics of Ruto since Jubilee government came to power in 2013.
Ruto’s message to IEBC, Kenya Power
During the Thursday press, asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to be fair and transparent in running the elections.
” We don’t want any favour from IEBC, all we want is a free, fair and transparent election,” said the Ruto.
He cautioned electricity firm, Kenya Power, against plans to disrupt electricity on election day like it happened during the presidential debate.
Ruto also asked the Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK) to be professional in discharging of their mandate.
“I ask the CEO of Kenya Power, Geoffrey Muli, and CEO CAK, Ezra Chiloba to exercise the responsibilities of their offices in accordance with the law. They must not be part of any scheme to switch off electricity or internet,” he cautioned.