Jeremiah Kiplang’at

Deputy President William Ruto has lined up three meetings in his political backyard, two days after suffering defeat in the National Assembly that arguably put to rest his claim of supremacy in the House. 

The series of events, starting tomorrow, comes at a time when he appears to be under siege from President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, who have trained their arsenal at his candidature. 

The DP could not marshal sufficient numbers to stop or amend the Political Parties (Amendment) Bill 2021, that was passed on Wednesday night with the support of Uhuru and Raila’s team. 

The loss in the House followed an endorsement of Raila by a group of Mt Kenya business leaders close to the President, who have vowed to ensure Ruto’s main rival trounces him in the August polls. 

Offering blessings

After the latest defeat, however, the DP heads to his home area, where he is expected to receive a warm reception. 

But yesterday, his allies said the failure in Parliament would not have any impact on his presidential bid, adding they had put elaborate plans for a massive reception during the rallies to be held in Eldoret tomorrow and Bomet and Kericho on Monday.

The Eldoret meeting, which will be held at Sports Club, is specifically being hyped as an event to confirm his absolute leadership in the region with the host, Governor Jackson Mandago, saying they expect at least 100,000 supporters to attend.

The organisers say more than 100 MPs will attend the rally.

“It is not a meeting for North Rift residents only. We have our neighbours here who we expect will attend the meeting. We expect more than 100,000 people in and outside the venue,” said Mandago.

The organisers said the rallies were aimed at “offering blessings” as Ruto formally begins his quest for the presidency eight months to the General Election.

However, the meetings bear heavy political undertones, as they come at a time the DP faces serious political assault from the President and Raila’s allies who are keen to cut his popularity.

The DP has begun 2022 the same way he ended last year with a tight programme largely aimed at countering Azimio La Umoja Movement launched by Raila in December.

He has been to Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega and Busia since the beginning of the year, promoting his bottom-up economic model which he has insisted is the solution to the country’s rising joblessness and poverty. 

Ruto has also dismissed the Azimio movement as a group bringing together a bunch of people only after protecting their interests.

Yesterday, Ruto spokesman Emmanuel Tallam confirmed the rallies, saying they were meant to market the bottom-up economic model.

“He will be expounding on the bottom-up economic model as he has always done across the country,” Tallam told People Daily. 

Keiyo South MP Daniel Rono said they were ready to welcome Ruto to Eldoret, adding the DP remained the region’s kingpin.

He dismissed claims Azimio was gaining popularity in the vast region.

“The support for Ruto in the Rift Valley is intact. We will be giving him our blessings because we believe this is his year.

He does not need to campaign in the Rift. We will do that for him. He needs not worry about that,” he said.

Earlier, Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos, a Raila ally, said they had seen significant increase in the support for Azimio movement in the region after it was launched last month.

From Eldoret in the North Rift, the DP will head to Bomet and Kericho in the south. He is scheduled to address a meeting at Bomet Green Stadium.

Maize farming

Former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, who opposed him in the last election, has since declared his support for the DP though he has stuck to his party, Chama Cha Mashinani, which he will use as he seeks to recapture his former seat. 

After Bomet, the DP will head to Kericho on Monday afternoon where he will address another rally in the town.

Konoin MP Brighton Yegon yesterday said he expects thousands of supporters to attend the Bomet meeting.

“We will give the DP our blessings as he ventures out to seek support across the country,” he said.

The DP is likely to be confronted with questions about the dwindling fortunes in maize and dairy farming. 

Sibling rivalry has also been a troubling issue lately as allies clash publicly as they seek his attention. 

Another emerging issue that is threatening the stability his UDA party is the planned primaries in April that are expected to be tightly contested.