Governor Isaac Rutto denies claims he has defected to the opposition alliance

dennis kibet

February 2, 2017 5:30 PM

Governor Rutto refuted the reports terming them as mere speculations.

Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto has denied reports that he has defected to NASA.

Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto has denied reports that he has defected to the recently formed National Super Alliance (NASA).

Media reports circulating on Wednesday and Thursday were awash with claims that Rutto will join NASA when he hosts chief opposition leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetang’ula, Musalia Mudavadi among others on Saturday, February 4 in Bomet.

When contacted by the press, Rutto refuted the reports terming them as mere speculations.

“The claims that I will join Nasa are incorrect. People are just speculating. I have not made such a statement,” Mr Rutto said.

The governor, a harsh critic of Deputy President William Ruto and the Jubilee government, quit the ruling coalition a year ago and founded his own party, Chama Cha Mashinani that is fast gaining popularity across the South Rift in a bid to neutralise the dominant Jubilee Party in the region.

Host NASA leaders

When the National Super Alliance (NASA) was formally announced this week by chief opposition leaders Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetang’ula and Musalia Mudavadi, a key venue was chosen to host the alliance’s first official rally.

Raila announced that Governor Isaac Rutto will host them at Bomet Town.

The announcement was symbolic in nature given that Rutto has been a vocal critic of the Jubilee administration and in particular his former close friend now turned foe Deputy President William Ruto.

Governor Rutto and Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi are seen as the missing link in the opposition’s grand masterplan which they hope will oust the Jubilee administration from power in the August elections.

Though Moi has maintained a lukewarm wait-and-see approach towards NASA, Rutto has been more accommodating.

dennis kibet