Deputy President William Ruto has made a u-turn on his hard stance on forming coalitions just months before the General election.
Speaking on Saturday, December 1 at his Sugoi residence in Uasin Gishu County when he hosted a delegation of grassroots leaders from Lugari and Likuyani Constituencies, Ruto affirmed his plans of forming a coalition before the August 2022 polls.
In what appeared to be a change of heart from his earlier hardline position of pushing political leaders to fold their parties and join the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), the second in command hinted at approaching like-minded political outfits to team up with his party.
To prove his determination of working with other parties, Ruto made a promise of keeping his word and making sure that all the pre-coalitions pacts are strictly adhered to till the next general election.
"With any coalition partner that we will get, we do not need to pass the law. We will keep our word because we are honourable and honest people," Ruto stated.
He alluded to the coalition agreement he had with President Uhuru Kenyatta that led to the formation of the Jubilee government in 2013, to assure potential partners that he will ensure decency and democracy in all the party's activities.
Ruto made the sentiments in regards to the controversial Political Parties Amendment Bill that ignited chaos in parliament in the previous special sittings.
He tasked his allies to rise to the occasion and reject any proposed legislation that seeks to serve, what he described as, the narrow and personal interests of some leaders.
The second in command went to hit out at unnamed political figures for using parliament to salvage their dwindling political fortunes.
“No legislation can restore the credibility of a deceitful leader,” he noted.
His task to his lieutenants comes just a day after the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi recalled lawmakers to discuss the Bill supported by both former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's camp and President Uhuru's allies.
Muturi on Friday, December 31, recalled all MPs for sessions starting on Wednesday, January 5 to Friday, January 7 following a request made by National Assembly Majority Leader Amos Kimunya.
The new political party Bill defines a coalition political party as an alliance that is registered by the registrar as a political party. This means that if it sails through in the latest special sitting, Azimio la Umoja championed by Raila will become a coalition party.
Its passage would imply that the presidential candidate and the running mate will be on the ballot under the outfit and its symbol as opposed to the current arrangement.
Ruto's move to soften his stand comes just a day after his loyalists wooed Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetangula to join his Hustler Movement.
Confirming the ongoing talks with ANC, Ruto even stated that Mudavadi invited him to grace a football tournament sponsored by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala at Mumias Complex on Friday, December 31. It later emerged that Mudavadi, who was to be the event's Chief Guest was at the Coast.
"I want to thank Cleophas Malala for organising the Super Cup. I've seen the talent here and I want to thank you all once again. As a hustler, I will help you in this endeavor."
"I also want to thank Musalia Mudavadi for helping Malala to establish the tournament. I know Malala has been wondering why I arrived unannounced. Just know that there's a league that Musalia plays that you are not there yet. The permission I got was from Musalia Mudavadi, so don't worry yourself," Ruto told the crowd that had thronged the sports complex.
