Deputy President William Ruto has said that they are ready for the elections on the 17th of October and will not allow the elections to be postponed, as portrayed by NASA leaders. Speaking at Chepareria centre in West Pokot County during a public rally, DP Ruto also disclosed that as Jubilee party they want the elections to be conducted by IEBC.
He said that they are sure they won the elections but the Supreme Court based their decision on petty issues while issuing their verdict. The Deputy President, however, said they respect the Judiciary and that’s why they decided to go back to the ballot and prove that they were validly elected. “We respect the constitution and independent bodies in the country that’s why we decided to go back to the ballot,” he said.
He said he wondered how the Supreme Court arrived at the decision and yet the party won many seats in the August polls. “Jubilee party acquired many seats in all elective seats in the August polls. Out of the Governor seats, Jubilee party managed to get 29, in the national assembly we have 170 members of parliament, women representatives we have 31 and in the Senate, we have 27 slots,” he said.
He urged the residents of West Pokot to turn out in large numbers and vote for Jubilee since the courts can’t decide the will of the people. “We want to prove to the judiciary that it’s not the courts that elect leaders. We have the numbers and we just need to prove that,” he said.
He said that the Jubilee administration is ready to work with elected leaders from the region to help improve economy and living standards of the residents.
Deputy president Ruto, who was accompanied by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, asked IEBC chairman to come out and assure Kenyans that elections will be held on the 17th of October.
“We want assurance from IEBC that elections will on be on 17th and Kenyans want credible elections that will ensure President Uhuru Kenyatta is reelected,” he said.
On his part, West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo asked the government to compensate communities that have lost animals, lives and their property in insecure regions.
Lonyangapuo urged the deputy president to withdraw the shoot to kill order that was issued to help restore peace in Laikipia County.
He said the order was misused and many people have suffered because of the order. “We are ready to vote for Jubilee government but we need to be assured that pastoral communities will be compensated for the loss they incurred,” he said.
The Deputy President was accompanied by members of parliament, who included David Pkossing (Pokot South), Mark Lomunokol (Kacheliba), Peter Lochakapong (Sigor), Ben Washiali (Mumias East), Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria), former Tiaty MP Asman Kamama and West Pokot woman representative Lilian Tomitom.