Deputy President William Ruto’s team has revealed plans to form a new political party ahead of 2022 general elections.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on KTN News’ Point Blank show on Wednesday night, former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said they were ready for new political formation should Jubilee Party fold before the next poll.
Khalwale was re-affirming rumours going round in the country that Ruto and his team were planning to dump Jubilee and unveil another political vehicle going into 2022. Deputy President has not been in good terms with his boss President Uhuru and many predict an imminent fallout between the two before 2022.
The abrasive politician branded ‘bullfighter’ who is among the latest politicians to join Dr Ruto’s fold from the opposition camp claimed last year’s March 9 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila was part of a bigger political game plan by the “dynasties” to block Ruto from succeeding Uhuru.
The DP and his camp claim they are pulling out all the stops to face Opposition leader Raila Odinga in the 2022 General Election including forming alliances with other parties of the same ideologies.
@KBonimtetezi ~ I would never take Murathe seriously. On the @WilliamsRuto side we have very credible Kikuyu leaders including Ferdinand Waititu, Kimani Ichungwa, Ndidi Nyoro and others Infact they are the majority #KTNPointblank@KTNPointBlank@SerenaNairobi pic.twitter.com/cOVZD5lqQq
— ktn (@KTNKenya) May 29, 2019
Khalwale cited remarks by Siaya Senator James Orengo and Raila’s elder brother Oburu Oginga that the former premier would give the top seat another stab as the strongest indication that Raila was being groomed to take over after Uhuru.
The ex-lawmaker sensationally claimed that Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli had already been tasked to “manage” Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi.
This, he claimed, was meant to ensure Raila remains the sole candidate for presidency from the royal families in the run-up to the General Election.
“I go by what James Orengo and Oburu said. They are the ones who traditionally let out the cat on Raila Odinga. The person I would advise Ruto to prepare for is Raila as his opponent,” he said. He said the manner in which the handshake and Building Bridges Initiative was being pushed aggressively was also part of the political game plan.
He described Ruto as an astute politician who has demonstrated his commitment to “uplifting” the lives of the hoi polloi through his generous contributions in weekend harambees.
Khalwale claimed that after the August 8 election, an attempt was made to attract Luhya leaders to support Uhuru in the repeat election.
“I was approached and I declined. CS position was on the card and I declined based on principle. When Ruto approached me, I told him I will listen to the people and I finally made the pronouncement,” said Khalwale.
@TonyGachoka ~ You’ve defected to Jubilee which is in turmoil itself, was this a proper move?@KBonimtetezi ~ That does not worry me, every major election has been approached by different political formations #KTNPointblank@KTNPointBlank@SerenaNairobi pic.twitter.com/lPapmU33kJ
— ktn (@KTNKenya) May 29, 2019
He added: “The people saying that I have sold my soul must be missing me. Those making the claims are from Mudavadi and Raila’s camp, and I put it to them to ask their bosses what they paid me to support Mudavadi in 2013 and Raila in 2017,” he said.
This comes barely some days after Raila warned Ruto and his team urging them to brace for an oncoming political war that was going to sweep the country soon. With the announcement, Raila set the 2022 ball rolling and is now just a matter of time before the curtains fall.