A section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party MPs on Monday issued a statement claiming that Deputy President William Ruto was the number one enemy of the public.
Led by Kwale Woman Representative Zuleikha Hassan, the MPs declared that DP Ruto was a problem to himself and he ought to quit thinking their party leader, Raila Odinga, was his problem.
The MPs accused the DP of being responsible for a number of ills within government and his Rift Valley region due to what they termed as "hostage tactics".
"What stands between Ruto and the presidency is not His Excellency Raila Odinga. It is his character, his bad record in office and the perceptions about him in the general public. Ruto comes off as an angry, bitter man looking for revenge.
[caption caption="Kwale Woman Rep Zuleikha Juma Hassan "]
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"Ruto has the exclusive distinction of being the only politician who is starting the race for the presidency of Kenya with hostages," the MP alleged while accusing the DP of targetting certain tribes living in the region.
The MPs went on to outline that the alleged hostage tactics had permeated through the national government and the families of his perceived rivals.
"Ruto and the cohort of politicians paid to speak at his rallies are hostage holders.
"They are blackmailing President Uhuru Kenyatta and the people of Kenya that if Ruto's wish to become president is not granted hey will target and evict other communities living in the Rift Valley.
"Former President Daniel Moi who created Ruto is today running away from him. Ruto has to deal with that," Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch reiterated.
The MPs further suggested that DP Ruto may have had a hand in the fresh National Youth Service (NYS) Ksh9 Billion scandal.
The ODM legislators claimed that the DP is holding the government hostage, adding that he had skewed the system to his favour such that his approval is always needed for any expenditure above Ksh100 Million.
"We have all heard of how government tenders beyond Ksh100 Million cannot be awarded without Ruto's express directions and that includes the ongoing saga at NYS," the statement further outlined.
The legislators issued the response following the DP's remarks on the 2017 election over the weekend.
Here is the statement ODM shared.
