Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto officially unveiled their pre-election deal at a rally in Nakuru.

Ruto told thousands of supporters at Afraha Stadium grounds that he had agreed to be Uhuru’s running mate in the March 4 general election.

“We know that we have the leadership that can bring all Kenyans together and help them overcome their challenges. For this reason, we have come to Nakuru today to announce a coalition of ideas between men and women who subscribe to uniting this country,” he said.

And even as the two who are facing charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court at The Hague unveiled their vision for Kenya, they were quick to condemn those seeking to block them from contesting the polls through the courts.

Ruto said the Kenyan people reserve the right to choose their leaders through democratic elections and insisted that the duty should not be passed to the executive, the legislature or the judiciary.

Last week, two civil society groups moved to the courts seeking to bar the two from running over integrity issues hours after a similar case was withdrawn. Uhuru had a stern message for Western countries who have voiced their opposition against his and Ruto’s candidature.