Ruto Asks the US to Help Stop Attempts to Rig the Forthcoming Presidential Election

Deputy President William Ruto has asked the US and the international community to intervene and stop alleged attempts to influence the outcome of Kenya’s August 9th presidential election.

Ruto, who is eyeing the presidency in the forthcoming elections, claims there is a group of individuals trying to force people to vote in a certain way through blackmail, intimidation and the use of the criminal justice system.

“As a leader, I have taken the position to speak against any attempts to try and straightjacket people into predetermined outcomes. We would have expected to do this without the baggage of blackmail and intimidation that is going on but unfortunately that is where we are,” said Ruto as quoted by Nation.

Ruto, who spoke at the Karson Institute for Race, Peace and Social Justice in Loyola University in Maryland on Tuesday, further alleged that some government agencies were out to manipulate people and make decisions on their behalf.

The deputy president also raised concerns about the state of democracy in the country, saying it was under threat.

 “There is a huge pushback by citizens against any attempts to choreograph the next dispensation. We want to make our choices without being chaperoned, blackmailed or intimidated,” he said.

“We are looking forward to partnership of friends and people of goodwill. America has been a partner and a friend and has stood with us during the good and the bad times. With other members of the international community, we are looking forward to working together in that endeavor.”

The UDA party presidential candidate is currently on a 10-day international tour that will see him visit the US and the UK.

He is accompanied by several leaders including Kenya Kwanza alliance principal Musalia Mudavadi and Governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Josphat Nanok (Turkana) and Salim Mvurya (Kwale).