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Deputy president William Ruto yesterday asked Opposition chief Raila Odinga and the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) leaders to move out of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s shadow and face him in the battle for the presidency.

He said Raila and OKA principals Musalia Mudavadi,Kalonzo Musyoka, Moses Wetangula and Gideon Moi should leave the president alone to work for Kenyans who elected him.

 He said both Raila and the OKA group are angling for Uhuru to endorse them in the State House race.

 ‘’If they are men enough let them stop hiding behind president Uhuru Kenya and come and face me on the ground’’ said Ruto.

Challenged leaders

 Speaking at Naitiri, Kamukuywa and Ndivisi market centres in Bungoma county, Ruto challenged the OKA leaders  to get out of their comfort zones and face him on the ground.

 ‘’I am asking them to stop hiding behind the president and come to the ground and battle it out with me for the top seat’’ said Ruto.  The DP challenged OKA identify their presidential candidate.

 “They are still stranded and have failed to name their preferred candidate and when they will loose the elections they will start crying that their victory had been stolen,’’ said Ruto.  

“How will you unite Kenyans when every one is having his own party and also want to be the president of the Republic of Kenya.”

Ruto was accompanied by MPs Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West),  Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon),  Mwambu Mabonga (Bumula) and John Waluke (Sirisia).

 Ruto wondered why his competitors were busy criticising UDA’s Bottom up economic model instead of coming with their own.

 “There is no need for my competitors to criticize our Bottom Up economic model that aims to empower majority of ordinary citizens. They should simply come up with their own agenda,” said Ruto.  

“It’s sickening that instead of our opponents selling their agenda to Kenyans, they are busy criticising our own. They should style up.”