DP Ruto says Azimio rigging claims sparked by fear of defeat in presidential poll

The Kenya Kwanza team has criticised their Azimio la Umoja One Kenya competitors labelling their concerns over the company contracted to print ballot papers as signs of fear of defeat in the August 9 election, 33 days away.

Speaking during campaigns in Marsabit County on Wednesday, the leaders said their eyes were on the 22.1 million voters cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and not the company contracted to print ballot papers.

The Deputy President William Ruto-led team said they have express confidence in the IEBC to deliver a free, fair, and credible election.

“Wajipange tuende kwa uchaguzi wananchi wa Kenya waamue…wasianze kutuletea vitisho, wasianze propaganda, wasianze kujipanga wakatae tena hii uchaguzi wa tarehe tisa mwezi wa nane,” said DP Ruto.

Garissa Township MP Aden Duale said: “We know Azimio has sensed defeat…they’re interfering with the independence of IEBC…kwa vile wamezoea kujiapisha, kusema wameibiwa kura, sasa imefika wakati wameona deep state haina maana, wameona serikali ya Uhuru haitawasaidia, sasa wameanza kulenga IEBC…tunawaambia liwe liwalo, nyinyi mtashindwa.”

The team warned their opponents against frustrating the elections preparations process by interfering with the operations of IEBC.

“Sisi hatuna haja na ni nani anachapisha ile kura, sisi hatuna haja nani anasimamia ile kura, sisi tuko na haja na wapiga kura, na ndio sisi tumesema tuko tayari,” said DP Ruto.

Tharaka Nithi Senator and P Ruto’s chief agent Prof. Kithure Kindiki stated: “We’re not bothered with procurement, we’re not bothered with who is the commissioner, we have faith in IEBC, we have faith in the system that is set under the law to manage the election, and we want to tell our friends in Azimio their time is up and they should not confuse people with maneno ya tender na procurement.”

DP Ruto asked IEBC to facilitate an inspection tour of the ballot paper printing plant to ensure no excuses among their opponents ahead of next month's general election.

“Mimi nataka niulize IEBC wapeleke Raila aone mahali kura inachapishwa…hata akitaka ndugu yake asimamie uchaguzi wampatie…lakini bora uchaguzi iwe tarehe tisa mwezi wa nane na wananchi wapatiwe nafasi wapige kura,” he said.

With Marsabit County grappling with a 6pm to 6am curfew occasioned by insecurity, the DP blamed Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i saying he had misplaced priorities.

“The people of Marsabit have lived in hell, their property is not secure, they have livestock and lives while you conduct petty campaigns…your day is coming, on August 9th we will send you packing…na hiyo siku tukipiga kura hiyo curfew mimi naondoa within 24 hours,” vowed the DP.

Ruto further claimed that his allies in the county had shifted camp for fear of victimisation but were still supporting him.

He pledged to end identity card and passport issuance discrimination affecting the area locals.