Dennis Lumiti and Rawlings Otieno

Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi yesterday asked Deputy President William Ruto to resign.

Mudavadi accused Ruto of insubordination and disrespecting President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He claimed Ruto was engaging  in destructive politics that could plunge the country in chaos.

Mudavadi added that Ruto should not distance himself from any failures of the Jubilee administration.

“Both Uhuru and Ruto were elected on a single ticket. Now that he does not want to be part of the government, why can’t he resign and give the President the opportunity to bring in somebody that can help him implement his agenda?” posed Mudavadi. 

Speaking during an interview with Inooro FM radio station, Mudavadi wondered why Ruto was promoting the United Democratic Alliance yet he was still in the Jubilee government.

“What is happening in Kenya is unheard of. That a deputy president who is supposed to be a symbol of national unity is busy disrespecting his boss and whipping up tensions among Kenyans,” said Mudavadi, a former vice president.

He added: “The DP is engaged in dangerous politics that could heighten tension in the country and lead to chaos. We should draw lessons from our past mistakes.” 

The ANC leader said it was wrong for Ruto to take pride in achievements of the Jubilee administration and then dissociate himself from its failures.

Running mate

He insisted that he was  prepared to face Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga in next year’s presidential election.

“I have experience and the ticket from my party to vie for the presidency in next year’s elections.

We have played second to others in previous elections and time has come for us to now captain the ship.” 

Mudavadi did not rule out picking a running mate from the Mt Kenya region. 

“There’s a lot of experience in the region. I will continue persuading them to support my bid, since from the look of things there is no strong presidential candidate from Mt Kenya as we speak now,” he said. 

He called on Kenyans to elect leaders based on the ideals and values they stand for and not because of their ethnic background.