William Ruto, the country’s Deputy President, has reiterated his optimism that he will win the presidency in the August elections.
The DP was speaking to followers of his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party in the diaspora at the Holiday Inn Hotel in London on Monday. He’s in the United Kingdom on a tour.
Ruto, who described himself as a knowledgeable man, indicated that he has faith in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), dismissing any fears of vote manipulation in the General Election.
“If you look at me properly, I am not the type that anybody can steal their votes from. It is not possible,” Ruto was quoted by Nation as telling the audience in a Question-and-Answer session.
“Let me give you my word that this election will not be stolen and I have full confidence in our electoral processes,” he added.
The Deputy President further stated that his opponents in the Azimio La Umoja brigade, led by former chief and ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga, are not a threat to his votes, saying: “the only thing they can do is maybe to cause violence.”
“However, even on that, we shall not allow to,” said Ruto.
He also criticized President Uhuru Kenyatta’s March 2018 handshake with then-opposition leader Raila Odinga, arguing that it slowed the country’s development but opened his eyes.
“I have seen how effective, simple, concrete decisions can change a nation. I have also seen how simple, wrong decisions can also take us backwards. After 2017, we had the Big 4 plan,” said Ruto.
“But then we made a simple decision called the handshake, and then it became the BBI, and then it became a circus and we lost four years, the ruling party collapsed, the opposition collapsed and we ended up in null and void.”
Governors Anne Waiguru, Salim Mvurya, and Josphat Nanok, as well as Senators Susan Kihika and Kipchumba Murkomen, flanked Ruto.
On Sunday, he launched a three-day visit to the United Kingdom, only one day after concluding his journey to the United States.
Before the next elections, Ruto is expected to visit the Royal Institute of International Affairs in Chatham House to explore opportunities and the prognosis for change.
According to a statement from his campaign secretariat, his entourage will also visit Whitehall and parliament, as well as engage policymakers, business leaders, and the Kenyan diaspora in the United Kingdom.
