BY MANUEL ODENY

President William Ruto has challenged the Orange Democratic Movement party to unite, speak in one voice ahead of the next general elections.

Ruto said under broad based government he was sure of trouncing the opposition in the next polls, and told ODM to strengthen their end of the bargain.

“I have told the ODM party to put their house in order under their party leader and leadership, next elections we will form the government together,” Ruto said.

Ruto said Migori and the region should not despair because he was sure of flooring the oppoaition.

“We will floor them because they don’t have plan and agenda, and they don’t have track record,” Ruto said.

He singled out former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka for being in leadership for over four decades without any development track record to his name.

“In next polls we want elections based on issues not lack of development agenda, I know what I have done as a leader and know how to take Kenya into a first world country,” he added.

He said in Migori he just inspected a Sh850million stadium to be opened in June next year in addition to other development projects.

He said a multi-billion 2,000 housing project in Migori town, a 7,200 hostel capacity at Rongo University and 18 markets is a sign of development needed to ensure Nyanza region is not left behind.

He also said a two piers at Lake Victoria, a market and one stop border point at Muhuru Bay and three fish landing sites is a clear sign of development.

Oburu said as a party leader he will shield the Orange outfit he had inherited from his brother, the late Raila Odinga.

“I am carrying the yoke and I won’t be shaken and I will sit squarely and anybody who thinks that I am about to die, going soon is seriously mistaken,” he said.

He said United States President Donald Trump is a agemate, a testament of his vitality.

“This broad based arrangement is the best and we will stay in it squarely as ODM now and beyond 2027, we will not go back to the opposition,” Oburu said.

He said no party is formed to be in the opposition.

“We will ensure we remain in the government and fight for it and don’t ask for favours and we will do so in the party of ODM,” he said.

Finance and Economic planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said rumours that the ODM party wanted to be sold to Ruto was unfounded.

“We know of rebels who wanted to sell the party to Uhuru Kenyatta, we have a party leader and any statement which is not from him is paid for division,’ Mbadi said.

His sentiment was shared by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed who said all respect will be done through the party leader, and those planning a coup in the party will be sidelined politically from January.