[Deputy President William Ruto and President Kenyatta during a recent tour of the Rift. The two were on a tour of the region to galivanise support.]
Deputy President William Ruto has suffered a major hit in his Rift Valley backyard, after his former allies in the now defunct United Republican Party (URP) decided to decamp to NASA.
This move is set to undermine Ruto and Jubilee’s achievements in the area, jeopardizing the re-election of Ruto and President Kenyatta.
The leaders including former Jubilee Party director and URP Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Koech, Chesumei MP Elijah Lagat, former MPs Peris Simam (Eldoret South), Stephen Tarus (Emgwen), Jesse Maiz (Eldoret South), John Cheruiyot (Aldai) and a former Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) director Judith Cheptoo Koskei.
They have now vowed to support NASA coalition and Raila Odinga’s presidential bid, saying Nasa focuses more on immediate economic interest of the region.
The leaders claim that the current administration led by president Kenyatta has failed to deliver to Kenyans, citing high cost of living, rising poverty levels and unemployment among the major failing points of the Jubilee administration.
. “NASA is a winning team and we will rally behind its flag bearer Raila. JP has failed and will lead us nowhere. The road projects they talk about were done during the Grand Coalition regime and includes Mosoriot-Kaiboi, Chepterit-Kapsisiywa in Nandi and even the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR),” said Lagat as quoted by the Standard.
Their declaration come days after the conclusion of the Rift Valley tour by Uhuru and his Deputy, which was meant to consolidate the region’s votes.
The leaders further express confidence that NASA stands for increased resource distribution to counties thus opening equal opportunities for development in all regions of the country.