DP Ruto apologises to Raila over stoning of his chopper in Uasin Gishu

Deputy President William Ruto has apologized to his political rival and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader Raila Odinga following the Friday incident where his chopper and motorcade were pelted with stones in Uasin Gishu County.

The DP condemned the incident terming it as unfortunate, as he vowed that his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party will hold to account any member found culpable of the violence.

Ruto, while addressing the press on Saturday, reaffirmed his commitment to working with authorities to ensure all the culprits involved are brought to book.

“Yesterday there was an incident in Uasin Gishu where some violence was meted on the party leader of our opposing party, Raila Odinga. I have instructed the party to work with the police so that we can get to the root of what happened yesterday in Eldoret,” he said.

“Even as we work as a party to ensure we have an election free of violence, I also take this opportunity to apologize to Raila Odinga for what happened to him yesterday, it was really unfortunate and I hope those who engaged in this exercise regret what they did.”

DP Ruto reiterated that his UDA party and Kenya Kwanza coalition beliefs were firmly centred on peaceful elections and uniting Kenyans ahead of the August polls.

He emphasized his efforts in ensuring that all the members in his faction lived up to this by stating that any party member who would be found to have orchestrated violence, would face the consequences and consequently their candidature nullified.

“Our UDA and all our Kenya Kwanza partners are believers in a peaceful progressive Kenya and are committed to a peaceful nomination exercise and a peaceful election in August 9 2022,” said the DP.

“We are going to take disciplinary action against anyone who may have been involved in the violence meted out at Raila Odinga. I have issued instruction to the party that if any candidate was involved in that exercise...we do take the position that any candidate who engages themselves in violence and especially violence with women will be disqualified.”

The country’s second-in-command urged the members in his camp and across the political divide to uphold peace so as to ensure that every presidential aspirant is given the opportunity to speak in every part of the country.

“Our contest is about ideas that will move Kenya into the future and every candidate must be given the opportunity the same way we want to be given that opportunity," DP Ruto noted.

The incident at Uasin Gishu where the former Prime Minister had attended the burial ceremony of Mzee Jackson Kibor saw rowdy youth pelt stones at his convoy and chopper.