Ruto on 3-day tour of Kiambu to calm political temperatures among allies
By Mathew.Ndungu, July 15, 2022Deputy President William Ruto will be returning back to Kiambu County on Friday, July 15, 2022, on a three-day tour meant to solidify his support ahead of the August 9 polls.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leader returns to the county weeks after a sibling rivalry emerged between members of his Kenya Kwanza coalition.
As it stands, Tujibebe Wakenya Party leader William Kabogo, seeking to recapture the governor’s position he lost to Ferdinand Waititu in 2017, has not been attending Kenya Kwanza rallies.
The rift in the Kenya Kwanza coalition started when Kabogo and Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria accused UDA of a deliberate attempt to discriminate against fringe parties eyeing the Kiambu governor seat.
Kabogo, Kuria and UDA governor aspirant Kimani Wamatangi have not been seeing eye to eye over a similar supremacy battle that Ruto hopes to calm during his tour.
The country’s second in command will also be seeking to popularize his bid, especially following recent surveys that show he is trailing Azimio One Kenya coalition rival Raila Odinga.
Ruto, who has been criticizing the role of his boss President Uhuru Kenyatta in the transition matrix, hopes to convince Kiambu residents, where the outgoing president comes from, to rally behind his candidature.
Today, July 15, Ruto is expected to tour, among other places, Lari, Limuru, Ruiru, Kiambu Town, Githunguri and Kabete constituencies. He will be hosted by leaders seeking various elective positions on the UDA party ticket.
On Saturday, the DP is scheduled to campaign in Gatundu North constituency. He will address his supporters at Mang’u Primary School.
Ruto to tour Thika
On Sunday, Ruto will complete his tour in Thika Constituency where he will attend various church services before addressing residents in roadside rallies.
“We welcome our incoming president and I ask our people in Gatundu North to come out in large numbers to show our support for him. He will not be going to any other place but will instead address us all at Mang’u Primary School grounds,” Francis Kigo Njenga, the UDA candidate for Gatundu North parliamentary position said.
According to Kigo, the DP will address several issues during his tour including delayed completion of various projects started in the area.
The presidential hopeful is also expected to detail what the region stands to gain from his administration if elected in August.