Isaac Ruto: I Didn't Defect to Jubilee

Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto says that he us still the party leader of Chama Cha Mashinani and did not defect to President Uhuru's Jubilee Party.

Speaking in an interview with the Standard, the former National Super Alliance (NASA) principal said that he only threw his weight behind President Uhuru Kenyatta's reelection bid in the repeat Presidential election, but did not fold up his party.

"I have not defected; I am still the party leader of Chama Cha Mashinani. I was persuaded (to support President Uhuru’s re-election) by the need to keep the community together and the fact that 60 per cent of the people who voted for me still voted for Uhuru Kenyatta,".

"Only 35 per cent agreed with me and voted Nasa. I did not want to continue to disagree with the 60 per cent. I even refused to wear the Jubilee kofia. I heard some people saying that I was threatened but there is no such thing. No one offered favours,".

The former Chepalungu MP further said that he did no concede defeat to Joyce Laboso in the Bomet gubernatorial race and maintained that the election was marred by irregularities, but did not want to dwell on it.

"I handed over but did not congratulate (Dr Joyce) Laboso for the win (as Bomet Governor). Neither did I concede defeat because there were a lot of irregularities in that election,".

" My chief agents were arrested. Some are still in court. Others were haunted out of their homes and denied access to polling stations.
There was harassment and heavy police and provincial administration interference in the election…and what we have seen in the role of electronic devices. I told my family that I was not ready to get into duel because the forces against me and my supporters were way beyond our capacity," the former Council of Governors' chairman stated

He said he will allow the new governor perform her duty without interference.

"I promised to keep off the affairs of Bomet County and allow Joyce Laboso to have her time. We must allow change of leadership once in a while,".

He also denied reports that there were plans for him to be appointed into the Cabinet by President Uhuru. He exuded confidence that Uhuru will win the repeat poll.

"I have not discussed that with anyone," he said.

"Re-election of Uhuru is a matter that we will be done in three weeks and after that we look at the agenda on the table. Everyone will be free to contribute in the way he or she looks. Obviously you can be sure I have not sold my soul and you will hear more of me moving forward,".