Deputy President William Ruto yesterday boycotted the Seventh Devolution Conference organized in Makueni County despite being coordinated as the guest of honor due to officially close it.
Dr Ruto, who continued with a series of debates in Nyandarua County, instead sent the Chief of Staff to his office, who was rejected by the governors who attended the conference.
The governors choose Defense Minister Eugene Wamalwa, who addressed the gathering and officially closed it.
“We were expecting the Deputy President to attend and close this forum. However, our council chairman Martin Wambora informed me that Dr Ruto had phoned him at night and said he would send a chief of staff to his office to read his message, ”said Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
“As governors, this is an international forum and no one can come here and give a speech,” he added.
Ahead of this year’s seventh edition, President Uhuru Kenyatta has been addressing his inaugural address with ODM Speaker Raila Odinga delivering a speech on the second day and Dr Ruto arriving on the third day and officially closing it.
In this year’s Conference, President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga both addressed the first day as Chief Justice Martha Koome addressed the delegates on the second day after appearing for only a short time on the opening day.
Mr Keter, Dr Ruto’s accomplice left after the President’s speech the first day and was no longer seen at Makueni.
On the same day, he left even before Mr Odinga and Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang’i delivered their speeches.
Ruto addressed rallies at Ndogino, Mairo Inya, Ndaragwa and Kwa Kung’u business centers where he maintained that he was the best candidate to inherit the presidency from President Kenyatta in 2022.
“The cure for debt is to pay. We agreed with the President that we will lead this country for 20 years to implement many development projects. Our development agenda however was stopped and compromised by the handshake, ”said Dr Ruto.
He was accompanied by MPs Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira) Alice Wahome (Kandara), Senators John Kinyua (Laikipia), Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka Nithi) among other politicians.
Meanwhile, ICT CS Minister Joe Mucheru has slammed Ruto for demanding that Chief Justice Martha Karua leave the committee that coordinates the next general election.
“These are the people who told us that even if you appoint Dr Oburu Oginga IEBC chairman they will still win the vote. What has changed so much that they are now in a state of panic and spreading baseless allegations? ” Posed Mucheru.
