Ruto’s Attempting To Return Corrupt Culture Of Political Defections Says Azimio

We are shocked that DP William Ruto, who harbors dreams of leading Kenya, is already engaged in acts of impunity and disregard of the rule of law. He must suffer from gross ignorance of our laws.

As we issue this statement, Mr. Ruto is assiduously wooing some of the leaders elected as Independents and on the Azimio Coalition to defect to his side.

This is the practice that was used in the KANU era to defeat the independence of the legislature and retard the growth of multiparty democracy. Mr. Ruto preaches water but drinks wine.

He ought to know democracy requires vibrant pluralism in which different political parties compete on issues. Attempts to cannibalize Azimio by corrupting its members will not succeed.

The law that led to the formation of Azimio La Umoja One Kenya — and its Deed of Agreement — set out the ground rules and conditions under which members can exit the coalition.

There are clear guidelines. Mr. Ruto should know that it is illegal for him, or others, to induce members to purport to leave Azimio.

No member of Azimio has legally invoked the process of leaving the coalition. All the members who signed as original members are still members in good standing.

So, any purported defections are a legal nullity. Mr. Ruto should not be allowed to take this country back to the old days of KANU dictatorship.

He needs to stop engaging in the culture of political corruption. We know he wants to create propaganda to give the impression that he is the inevitable victor.

The court will be the final arbiter on who won this election, and we are confident that we won it. Why has Mr. Ruto panicked and resorted to illegal and corrupt conduct in violation of the law? It can only be because he has sensed defeat.

We urge Kenyans to see Mr. Ruto’s hypocrisy and his disregard for the law for what it is. We ask our supporters and those elected on Azimio, or as Independents, to stand firm to vindicate our democracy.