Deputy President William Ruto has yet again reiterated that he's ready to face anyone interested in Jubilee party ticket ahead of 2022 presidential polls.
Dr Ruto has been traversing the country mobilising supporters ahead of 2022 polls and is currently struggling to unite his own Jubilee party.
After the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, the Jubilee party has disintegrated into two factions, with one supporting Uhuru and another one Ruto.
But the DP ruled out direct tickets on Thursday during the memorial service for Boni Khalwale's wife, adding that those interested in the party ticket should be ready for a competition.
"It's interests which guides politics. Just as Khalwale and Shinali said, we are all one team and we respect one another. We shall work together," said the DP.
"There will be no direct ticket for anyone in Jubilee.We shall all come to the people and ask for your support. We shall respect your decisions. In all seats, we shall respect democracy and face the people. It is through competition that the best enough comes out."
Ruto's sentiments corroborates those of Secretary General Raphael Tuju, who on Wednesday insisted that the Jubilee party does not have automatic candidate for Presidency in 2022.
“Anybody who says they want to vie in 2022 are welcomed. The person who has repeated this is the Deputy President himself. He has said it and repeated it, but my support for any member of the party will depend on who comes on the table.”
“But you cannot tell me at this particular moment and time that this is the candidate for 2022 — he’s the DP and you either support him or not,” the Cabinet secretary said.
Mr Tuju has been facing threats from leaders allied to the DP, who accuse him of allegedly working closely with ODM leader Raila Odinga to sabotage Jubilee from within.