Chama Cha Mashinani party leader Isaac Ruto at a past event. He ditched NASA for Jubilee Party. [Photo: Daily Nation]
Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto was coerced into joining President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party, a close ally has revealed.
According to the source, Ruto abandoned Raila Odinga-led National Super Alliance (NASA) after Jubilee top leadership threatened to 'punish' him for sticking with the Opposition.
"It is sad the governor has decided to give in to pressure from Jubilee. After last night's (Thursday) happenings, including calls from the Jubilee leadership, he has decided to give in and will join them at Kapkatet grounds," the source told the Saturday Standard on Friday morning.
"Intimidation and threats is not a way to win support. The governor has joined Jubilee but not on his own volition. This is bad politics. The governor made a serious mistake," the source added.
On his part, the Chama Cha Mashinani party leader said he decided to jump ship after he realised his people were not ready to go to 'Canaan'.
"We cannot move without the people we lead. Voters can only be convinced when you move with them, at their pace.
I tried to take my people to Canaan but they remained in their villages. I have had to go back and ask them what happened," Ruto said on Friday, as quoted by the local daily.
The former governor had joined President Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto at Kapkatet grounds, Kericho County, where he declared that he will henceforth campaign for Jubilee.
Ruto was a co-principal in NASA alongside Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang'ula.