Isaac Ruto: External Forces to Blame for My Defeat to Joyce Laboso

Outgoing Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto says that “external forces” are to blame for his loss to Dr Joyce Laboso in the race to defend his seat.

Speaking at his Bomet home on Friday, the Chama Cha Mashinani party leader said that police officers were used by the electoral agency to mess up the voting process.

The National Super Alliance principal cited an incident where some of his agents were arrested and locked up on the eve of Election Day over alleged voter bribery, saying it was intimidation to pave way for rigging.

“Some of these agents did not reach the polling stations for the assigned duties,” Rutto said.

“I have told the people I’m not ready to move to court to challenge the results, but I want to rest and see how these people will carry on development in the region in their tenure of office.”

Ruto further said NASA opted to move to the Supreme Court to challenge President Uhuru's win in order to lay bare the “computer-generated results”.

“It was interesting to note the IEBC declared President Uhuru Kenyatta winner, even when the provisional results showed form 34A and 34B had not been received at the National Tallying Centre,” Rutto said, adding he was ready to work with Laboso for the benefit of Bomet residents.

“I will work in harmony with her and I’m appealing to her to do more progress from where I left so that our people can continue enjoying services they deserve,” Rutto said.

He urged Laboso not to sack the staff he employed during his administration for continuity and benefit of Bomet.

“Workers found by the incoming government should be left to continue with their work, just like I did when I took over in 2013 as governor. I allowed public servants who transited from the various bodies to work with my administration,” he said.