DP Ruto calls on all leaders to renounce violence, endorses UDA-ANC partnership

Speaking at his Karen residence while meeting with UDA's Parliamentary Group (PG), DP Ruto singled out his main political rival ODM leader Raila Odinga stating that he has been dodging requests to make a firm stand despite instances of violence happening under his watch.

The DP further assured the party's commitment to avert any violence-related actions for the sake of the nation's unity. 

"We want to challenge every presidential candidate, especially the candidate of ODM to clearly, firmly and unequivocally renounce violence. He has had excuses of trying to explain instances of violence perpetrated under his watch," said Ruto. 

"We are making a commitment to the people of Kenya that UDA members will not participate in violence and we expect the same from other parties and every candidate," he added.

The second-in-command also said that the Parliamentary Group has endorsed the partnership between UDA, Musalia Mudavadi's Amani National Congress (ANC) and Moses Wetangula's FORD-Kenya after the ANC delegates conference on Sunday. 

"The parliamentary Group has also endorsed the partnership arrived at between UDA, ANC and FORD-Kenya We now believe that with this partnership the country has been given direction on the next general election," posed Ruto.

The UDA boss said the PG, after deliberating on important national issues, agreed that they will be committed to endorse a peaceful general election and called on the justice system to apply vigilance in performing its constitutional mandate.

"Our criminal justice system must perform its duty of protecting the freedom of the citizens and effectively dealing with the tendencies during the campaign period," said DP Ruto. 

"UDA is committed to conducting its political activity in a peaceful, inclusive and respective manner that optimizes democratic engagements and produces a cohesive national conversation. We, therefore, deplore any form of inciting, divisive or discriminating activities during the campaigning period or at any other time," he stated.