DP Ruto apologises to Raila over Soy attack – Kenya Satellite News Network

Deputy President William Ruto has apologised to Azimio la Umoja- One Kenya Alliance presidential candidate Raila Odinga following Friday’s attack on his motorcade in Soy, Uasin Gishu County.

Addressing the press on Saturday, April 2, at his Karen office, the Deputy President stated that any UDA candidate who will be found to have participated in the planning, funding or execution of the violence will be punished by the party in accordance with its rules.

The punishment, according to Ruto, may include expulsion from the party. The DP stated that violence and discrimination are not what the party stands for, calling on his supporters to exercise political tolerance.

Ruto said that what happened to Mr Odinga was regrettable and called on the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambi to apprehend those who damaged Mr Odinga’s helicopter by pelting it with stones.

“As (United Democratic Alliance) a party, we call for an election free of violence,” DP Ruto said on Saturday morning at the UDA party headquarters.

He continued; “I also apologise to Raila Odinga for what happened to him yesterday (Friday). It was really unfortunate and I hope those who engaged in this exercise regret what they did.”

DP Ruto is Mr Odinga’s main rival in the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in this year’s August 9 General Election. Mr Odinga’s stoning happened in Uasin Gishu, Rift Valley, where DP Ruto has a huge following.

The attack on Mr Odinga happened as he was attending the burial of his long-time froiend Mzee Jackson Kibor at Kabenes,

It saw the windshield of the chopper he had used cracked.

“We will demonstrate our commitment to an election that is peaceful by taking the necessary steps that our members engage in this election on the basis of ideas and not any acts that are as unfortunate as we saw yesterday (Friday),” Said Ruto.