Choice of first rally venue underscores significance of Nakuru town

The new-found union between Deputy President William Ruto and Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi has underlined the significance of Nakuru, the venue of their first rally, in shaping the country’s politics.

During the unveiling of the political deal between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the ANC at Bomas of Kenya two days ago, DP Ruto announced that their first rally will be held in Nakuru Town tomorrow.

Historically, Nakuru has cut a niche for itself as the melting pot of Kenya’s politics owing to a number of key political events that originated there before gaining acceptance across the country and tomorrow’s event reinforces this argument.

Political deal For instance, President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP Ruto strategically picked Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium in December 2012, where they announced their political deal—an event that catapulted the duo to the presidency.

Apart from being the most cosmopolitan county in the country, a place inhabited by almost all the 42 tribes, Nakuru boasts of having produced some of the country’s vibrant leaders over the years.

Some of the firebrand politicians from Nakuru who went on to play a key role in the national arena include Achieng’ Oneko, Kariuki Chotara and Kihika Kimani, all deceased.

Others are Madaraka Mwithaga, Koigi wa Wamwere, Wilson Leitich, Mirugi Kariuki, Geoffrey Asanyo and recently, the likes of Governor Lee Kinyanjui, Senator Susan Kihika and also Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati MP).

In an interview with People Daily yesterday, former mayor John Kitilit, underscored the significance of Nakuru in the country’s politics.

He said Nakuru ASK Showground had been—tentatively— picked as the venue for the trio’s first political rally.

This is because Afraha Stadium is currently closed for public owing to the ongoing renovations. Nakuru is number three in the list of counties with highest registered voters after Nairobi and Kiambu.