Deputy President William Ruto has dismissed the formation of political coalitions ahead of next year’s General Election, terming the alliances signs of defeat.

Speaking on Tuesday when he met with spiritual leaders from Tharaka Nithi County at his Karen Residence, the DP said Kenyans want leaders with programmes and plans on the creation of opportunities that will uplift lives of the ordinary people.

“They are using outdated strategies to avoid a defeat. The era of political groupings and endorsements is over,” Ruto said.

“How will I fail to defeat them if you are still coalescing in tribal outfits and with no agenda to take Kenya forward.”

Ruto insisted on the establishment of national parties founded on firm social and economic principles for meaningful political stability of our country.

He called on leaders to resist the temptation of retreating to ethnic political alliances that will hurt Kenya’s social fabric and development agenda.

Elected leaders in the Karen meeting assured the DP that they will support his bid for the top job and also ensure the people of Tharaka Nithi are behind him.

“We will continue grouping ourselves under the United Democratic Alliance which is a national party with solid development plans,” Tharaka Nithi County MP, Beatrice Nkatha, said.

Other elected leaders present in the meeting included; MPs George Murugara (Tharaka), Patrick Munene (Chuka/Igembe Ng’ombe), Gathoni Wa Muchomba (Woman Rep, Kiambu) and Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu).

On Monday, Ruto met elected leaders from Meru County led by Senator Mithika Linturi at his Karen home.

He also met leaders and Opinion leaders from Kisii County led by Deputy Governor Joash Maangi and the East African Court of Justice Charles Nyachae.

Others present were; Bomachoge Chache MP Alfah Miruka, South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro, Former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara, Judge of the East African Court of Justice Charles Nyachae and lawyer Cliff Ombeta among others.