We'll Only Hold Talks with NASA after Elections, DP William Ruto Says

Deputy President William Ruto says that Jubilee will not hold any negotiations with opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) before October 26th repeat election is held.

Ruto said that the ruling party will only consider talks with the opposition after next Thursday's poll.

“We are ready to engage with our competitors – post elections,” he told foreign correspondents at a meeting in his official residence in Karen on Tuesday.

Ruto said that the constitution allow Kenyans to compete in an election through voting, and holding dialogue would render such constitutional requirement "useless."

“We intend to keep to the dictates of the Constitution because it is the right thing to do. It is clear. It is what every democracy stands for,”.

“What does a political settlement mean? That there will not be elections in Kenya? Then it would mean we will be in a circus forever where a loser will foment a crisis then force us to sit on the table for negotiations,".

“What stops another leader creating a crisis in other elections so that they can share power? What happens to the Constitution, which provides that leaders are elected by the people?”

He accused opposition leader Raila Odinga of creating excuses to derail the election and escape a humiliating defeat in the hands of Jubilee.

“Mr Odinga is running away because he can’t change the numbers and he knows that he can’t win the October 26 election,” said Ruto.

“The Opposition leaders have manufactured and created a crisis because they can’t ask legitimate Kenyans for their votes and they are now creating chaotic situations to pave way for political solutions at the expense of democracy,” said Ruto, adding that Nasa was trying to create anarchy in the country for selfish interests.

Ruto wondered why Nasa was still issuing demands to the electoral commission when their candidate Raila Odinga had withdrawn from the race.

“It seems Nasa has not decided whether they are in the presidential race or not. If they have withdrawn, why are they giving conditions on how the elections should be held?” Ruto asked.