I Will Not Pull Down Any Railway If I Lose August Elections, Ruto Pledges

Deputy President William Ruto has pledged to concede defeat if he loses the August 9th presidential election and support the winner.

In a thinly-veiled attack on his main rival Raila Odinga, who is accused of resorting to violence after losing previous elections, Ruto said he would not organize any demonstrations or destroy property.

"I will organize no demonstration, I will not pull down any railway," Ruto said during an interview on NTV on Sunday night.

Instead, Ruto, who is seeking the presidency on a UDA party ticket, said he would maintain peace and follow provisions of the law in challenging the results of the election if he is dissatisfied.

"I will be a satisfied Kenyan that I did my best, I served my country and it is for Kenyans to decide what happens and if they so decide, I will support whoever will have been elected and be part and parcel of the Kenyan society," Ruto said.

He added: "I now have grandchildren. I will be satisfied. Millions of Kenyans have not gotten to be deputy president. I really thank God I have gotten very far. From where I came from this is very satisfying, being deputy president of Kenya against all odds is something I consider a huge achievement.”

At the same time, Ruto said if elected, he will put in place working institutions where no one will be spared if found guilty of any wrongdoings. He also promised not to shield his running mate Rigathi Gachagua, who is facing a 7.4 billion graft case.

"If they are culpable my friend if they are culpable. That's why I am telling you the institutions we want to build, the freedom we want to give to the Judiciary, the freedom we want to give to the criminal justice system, and the financial independence we want to give to them is so that they can prosecute anybody including the President if they abuse the constitution or if they are corrupt. It's the only chance we have in Kenya," Ruto told NTV’s Joe Ageyo.