WILLIAM RUTO AMFINYA RAILA ODINGA TENA

Deputy President William Ruto has rubbished the criticism by ODM leader Raila Odinga over his cash donations saying that he (Ruto) understands the needs of Kenyans better.

The Deputy President emphasized that he was making donations as a way of helping the less fortunate since he was once in their position.

The DP said ODM leader cannot come to terms with his actions of giving to the needy since he (Raila) has not experienced poverty.

“Wale mimi nashindana na wao wanashinda wakilalamika mbona huyu William Ruto mbona anazunguka na pesa akiwasaidia mama mboga; anatoa wapi pesa ya bodaboda, anatoa wapi pesa ya kusaidia watu wa chini,” Ruto said at a rally in Surgoi, West Pokot County on Friday

“Mimi nataka niwaambie wale ambao tunashindana na wao, my friends, hamuwezi kuelewa kwa sababu hamjalelewa vile ambavyo sisi wengine tumelelewa.”

In a thinly-veiled attack that seemed to cut through his rivals under Azimio La Umoja, Ruto idealized his social background to be more relatable to the ordinary Kenyan.

DP Ruto pointed out that having risen from a humble background, he understood the plight of ordinary citizens compared to Odinga who he said has not experienced poverty.

“Tumefanya hapa harambee ya kina mama, tumefanya hapa harambee ya vijana, nimefanya harambee ya boda boda. Kwa sababu mimi naelewa umuhimu wa biashara ya watu wa chini kwa sababu nilikua mfanyibiasharara wa kuku pale chini kwa hivyo naelewa umuhimu wa kusaidia wale watu wa chini,” Ruto said.

He cited how he was a poultry farmer and was focused on improving the livelihoods of all Kenyans and bridging the widening gap between the rich and the poor.

“Wacheni kulalamika milioni mbili ni pesa kidogo mwaka huu tunaweka bilioni hamsini kwa hawa watu wa biashara za chini ndio tumalize madharau tujenge Kenya ya usawa ambayo biashara ya kila mtu inaheshimika,” Ruto said.

At the same time, while drumming up support for his bottom-up economic agenda, the DP urged West Pokot residents to elect a presidential candidate who had all the interests of Kenyans at heart and based on their track record.

“Si mnajua mimi nashindana na bwana kitendawili? Si kitendawiliwi alikua prime minister, si mimi nimekua deputy president? Hii mashindano ni urembo ama ni kazi?” He posed.

“Mtapatia hii kazi mtu ako na track record ama mtapatia mtu mzembe wa tialala na tibim?”

DP Ruto downplayed his competitors’ political agendas exuding confidence that his UDA party was far much superior and favourable to trounce his competitors come the August polls.

“Hawa watu tumewashinda na akili, tumewashinda na mpango, tumewashinda na chama, tumewashinda na sera; kitu wanataka kufanya ni kutugawanya. Umoja ni nguvu,” Ruto stated.

While referring to the Azimio la Umoja leader as a state project imposed on Kenyans against their will, Ruto cautioned residents against being steered to follow a certain leader.

“Yule mzee wa kitendawili ati anasema atawaletea handouts ndio vijana wanyamaze. Nyinyi mtakubali kupangwa na handouts? Mimi najua hampangwingwi!” The DP stated.

“We respect you because of your age but respect our youth; hawa si watu wa kupangwa na handouts.”

In his Friday tour across the County, Ruto was accompanied by MPs Lilian Cheptoo (West Pokot), Peter Lochkapong (Sigor), Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria), Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Kimani Ichungwah (Kikuyu), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), former Governor Simon Kachapin, former MPs Philip Rotino (Sigor) and Julius Murgor (Kapenguria) among others.

By Citizen Digital