Kenya Kwanza presidential flag bearer William Ruto while addressing his supporters during a Mombasa County Economic Forum at the Mbaraki Sports Club on Wednesday, May 25, accused Raila Odinga of copying his manifesto.
“Raila alisikia akisema tutarudisha operations Mombasa akasema “ata mimi nitafanya ivo”. Ni kama tu juzi alisikia tukisema mama mboga wakafkiria tumesema mama moja, wakakimbilia mama moja. Kwa sababu hawana chochote original,” Ruto said.
This remarks by the Deputy President are not the first as far as mocking Raila’s choice of Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua as running mate goes. While campaigning in Embu on Sunday, May 22, Ruto also mentioned that his Azimio la Umoja counterpart Raila Odinga chose Karua out of confusion.
“When they (Azimio) heard we were planning to lift mama mbogas and all those struggling to make a living, Raila went ahead and chose a woman running mate out of confusion”.
Operations at the Mombasa port were affected when changes to direct some of its core activities to the Nairobi and Naivasha inland ports were made. As such Ruto said that he had plans of reversing the operations back to the port if he assumes the presidential seat.
“We have made a commitment that we are going to undertake both administrative and legal steps to reverse what has become the biggest impoverishment of the people of Mombasa and Coast in its entirety.” He stated on May 10, during the welcoming of Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi to the Alliance.
Moreover, Mr. Odinga during his campaigns in Mombasa on April 19, also said he will ensure port services return to Mombasa within three months after being elected president in the August 9 polls.
According to the deputy president, Raila is incapable of reverting the transfer of the operation because he is a project and does not have his own word. He further promised to resolve land disputes in the coastal region, adding that Raila Odinga could not help them since he did nothing during his time as the Prime Minister.