Ruto: I have no regrets for forcing Uhuru to go for repeat polls in 2017

In the clip played at an Azimio La Umoja rally on Sunday by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, DP Ruto apparently said after the 2017 polls were annulled, his partner in the race, President Kenyatta, almost quit the race.

The DP, in the clip, said Uhuru even told him that he is retreating to his rural home in Ichaweri, Kiambu county, to which, “had it not been for respect,” he almost slapped Mr. Kenyatta.

The clip made politicians allied to Azimio leader Raila Odinga to turn on DP Ruto, accusing him of being responsible for his eventual fallout with the president.

But in a quick rejoinder, DP Ruto told his opponents that he could not have let President Kenyatta bow out of the race, to the advantage of their then arch-rival, Raila Odinga.

Dr. Ruto accused them of hypocrisy for standing behind the President amid the heated debate, saying, if anything, his friendship and loyalty to the Head of State goes way back to their campaign runs.

“Forget about the hypocrisy. Sahii wanajifanya wanamtetea Uhuru, hamjawahi kumpigia kura , hamjui tulifanya vipi ndio Uhuru awe Rais. You have no business giving us lectures on our relationship with Uhuru Kenyatta. We made him president through campaigns and our votes,” the DP told supporters.

“Kwani mlitaka tucheze na kiti alichokuwa amepata na tumeamka saa kumi asubuhi kutafuta kura? Hata kama nilimlazimisha awe rais, iko makosa?” he posed.

Ruto added that he worked very hard to drum up support for his presidential bid with Mr. Kenyatta to see it drown.

Wamerecord ati oh, William Ruto amelazimisha Rais, vile [Former Chief Justice David] Maraga amebatilisha uchaguzi ukitaka tucheze, hata mngekuwa mimi, mngekubali awache na tumemtafutia?”

“Mimi ndiye nilifanya campaign kubwa, nilikuwa naamka asubuhi nikafanya mikutano tatu kabla ya rais kuamka, na sababu mimi niafiki yake,” added Ruto.