Sources say Ruto could now be headed to the United Republican Party/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 10 – Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s new political party will now be unveiled on Thursday.
Ruto’s ally, Dujis MP Adan Duale, made the announcement after a four- hour meeting attended by over 15 Members of Parliament associated with the former Cabinet Minister.
“We have agreed on the road map. Tomorrow (Wednesday) we are going to meet again with other political parties that are represented in Parliament,” he said.
He added that plans were at an advanced stage for a major rally which will also act as the official unveiling of the new party.
Duale added; “We will have a major press conference on Thursday in which we are going to announce the official the vehicle we are going to use and that will culminate in a major meeting of all our delegates and supporters across the country over the weekend in Nairobi.”
Ruto who had trooped with his allies to the United Democratic Movement is reported to have quit in a huff following internal wrangles, after he failed to wrest its control from a faction led by the Secretary General, Martin ole Kamwaro and Chairman Lt Gen (Rtd) John Koech.
Independent sources say Ruto could now be headed to the United Republican Party.
Ruto and his supporters are said to have identified URP as an alternative in case their plan to consolidate control of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) failed.
The party is said to have a horn as a symbol.
Turkana Central MP Ekwe Ethuro who attended Tuesday’s meeting said they considered all options to ensure Ruto’s name is on the presidential ballot when the elections are held later this year.
The Turkana Central MP said; “All options are open for now and that is why we are holding decisions, considering the merits and demerits but we have built a consensus, which we would like to announce on Thursday.”
Kaloleni MP Kazungu Kambi, another Ruto ally, confirmed that they were about to ditch UDM for another party.
“We have open options, we do not want a party that is in dispute,” he said in regards to the row in UDM.
Ruto’s plans to take over UDM ran into a major hurdle after the Koech-Kamwaro group who claim they are the bona fide officials filed a case in the High Court seeking to block him and his supporters from the party.
A ruling on the matter is expected on January 24, where Koech claims that his replacement as UDM chairman in late 2010 was illegal.
Others in attendance in Tuesday’s meeting included MP Cyrus Jirongo, Trade minister Chirau Mwakwere, Assistant Ministers Kambi Kazungu and William Cheptumo.
MPs Charles Keter, Isaac Ruto, Zakayo Cheruiyot, David Koech and Luka Kigen were also at the talks.
United Democratic Movement’s only MP in Parliament, Mogotio’s Hellen Sambili also attended the meeting which was chaired by Ruto.