Deputy President William Ruto with NASA leader Raila Odinga. [Photo/The Star]
On Tuesday, NASA leader Raila Odinga shocked the nation when he announced he will not be taking part in the October 26 repeat polls citing lack of a level playing field.
However, Deputy President William Ruto has dismissed the Odinga move telling the former prime Minister that he will be on the ballot in the October polls despite his Tuesday declaration.
Before his latest claims, Ruto had stated that Odinga's move to quit was after he sensed defeat given the numerous defections by members of his NASA team joining the Jubilee outfit.
Ruto now claims that Odinga must be on the ballot following the High Court ruling by Justice Mativo that gave Thirdway Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot and other presidential candidates of the August 8 elections the chance to take part in the repeat polls.
“He wanted to avoid a humiliating defeat but the court today (Wednesday) has ruled that all candidates, who participated in August 8 (elections) will be on the ballot. So he will not escape another defeat,” said Ruto.
Ruto who spoke on Wednesday was brimming with confidence that Jubilee will triumph again in the repeat polls. Ruto also received former Kajiado governor David Nkedianye who decamped ODM for Jubilee.
“They (opposition) have done their calculations and they know they cannot defeat Jubilee in the elections. All these high sounding words they are using are mere excuses,” said Ruto.