Deputy President William Ruto Responds to Raila's Election Rigging Claims

Deputy President William Ruto has responded to claims by opposition leader Raila Odinga that Kenya has never had a free and fair presidential elections except the 2002 one.

Addressing a group of Kenyans in the diaspora in London, United Kingdom on Friday, Odinga said rigging was done in all elections held in the country after independence, save for one won by retired President Mwai Kibaki in 2002.

In a rejoinder on Sunday, DP Ruto told Raila to be honest and admit that Jubilee carried the day in both 2013 and 2017 polls.

“As leaders, we should be honest, exercise truth, and not propaganda; the integrity of our actions should guide us,” said Ruto. 

Ruto, who spoke at the St Francis Chaptarit Catholic Church, Mosoriot, Nandi County, said it was wrong for some leaders to purport that they were working with the government, while on the other hand they go around the country and world claiming that elections were rigged.

"There is, therefore, no need for someone to go round the country and the world with propaganda that Jubilee did not win the last General Election. Kenyans decided and we won it fairly,” said Ruto.

 “The biggest threat to our democracy, our progress, and stability are people who have questionable democratic credentials; dictators who participate in elections, and yet they do not accept the outcome of any election,” said Ruto. 

The deputy president was flanked by by Lands Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang and Senator Kiprotich Cherargei.

Other leaders accompanying him included MPs Wilson Kogo (Chesumei), John Waluke (Sirisia), Tecla Tum (Nandi), Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Cornelly Serem (Aldai) and Julius Melly (Tinderet). 

“Now that time for politics is over, leaders should put aside their political differences and forge a common development agenda for the sake of unity and development of the country,” said Ruto.