This archive report was first published on 19 July 2021.
Deputy President William Ruto has been on a winning streak in recent by-elections, and he's not showing any signs of slowing down. In fact, he's warning his rivals to prepare for a tough battle ahead of the 2022 State House race.
Speaking in Kilifi, Ruto dismissed all ongoing coalition-building efforts by his rivals, saying they will not stop him from ascending to presidency. He accused his rivals of targeting him and his allies in a smear campaign.
"I am telling them that they can join all the forces against me but they should be ready because we the hustlers, with our God, are ready to face them," Ruto said.
He also accused his rivals of taking advantage of the 2018 'handshake' between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga to distract Jubilee from its Big Four Agenda.
"Raila came from the National Super Alliance and started frustrating us in Jubilee because we had plans for proper housing and creating employment for the jobless youth, and manufacturing. He told us that was not a priority arguing that changing the Constitution was," Ruto said.
He warned that the proposed law changes through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) are against Biblical teachings and will burden the common people in society.
Several leaders from the region have come out in support of Ruto, including Gatundu MP Moses Kuria, who said the UDA win is a clear indication that the DP will succeed President Kenyatta.
"Kenyans now have an idea on who will become the next President," Kuria said.
