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Hundreds of locals braved the scorching sun as Deputy President (DP) William Ruto, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang’ula held their first public rally in Nakuru and Eldama Ravine.

In a show of might, the trio first landed at Eldama Ravine in Baringo County, where they addressed their inaugural rally before heading to the ASK grounds in Nakuru Town, where they were received by jubilant supporters.

The two venues were painted in yellow and green — the colours of the three parties — as Ruto introduced Mudavadi and Wetang’ula in his Rift Valley backyard, in what appeared to be a well-calculated move to counter Raila Odinga’s Azimio La Umoja movement.

In Eldama Ravine, a rejuvenated Mudavadi told locals that he was coming back home, reminding them that he was born in Baringo while his step-mother, the late Mama Rosebella Mudavadi, was born in Eldama Ravine.

“I am very happy to be here today. I am one of you because I was born here and my step mum comes from here. I have many uncles here,” said Mudavadi.

The ANC leader used the occasion to respond to President Uhuru Kenyatta who had expressed his disappointment with Mudavadi’s move to join Ruto during a meeting with Luyha leaders on Tuesday, saying he made the right decision.

He urged Kenyans to reject Raila, terming him a “government project”, saying time to free the country from the shackles of poverty and economic hardships had come, reiterating his slogan of Pesa mfukoni (wealth creation).

“I have seen in the newspapers that my friend the President is disappointed with me. Mr President, you have a right to be disappointed with me but I want to tell you that Kenyans are even more disappointed in you…” said Mudavadi.

Political projects
He pledged to give priority to soaring unemployment, unsustainable national debt and the tax burden, which, he said, Kenyans had been subjected to by the Jubilee administration. “Kenyans are tired. Let us not lie to ourselves,” he said.

At the same time, Ruto hailed the new-found union with the two leaders, saying they are going to deliver the presidency.

“There are a few people sitting in big offices and chest thumping that they have a candidate they are going to impose on Kenyans,” he said.

“We are telling them today in Eldama Ravine that Kenyans have rejected political projects and political manipulation… they are saying they are coming to change the Constitution to create a few positions at the top for their friends,” the DP said.

“But Kenyans are saying let’s restore the economy first…”

Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis was booed while his predecessor Benjamin Cheboi received a warm welcome. Coincidentally, it was at the same grounds where the latter was heckled in 2017.

Former Cabinet Ministers Musa Sirma and Hellen Sambili joined Ruto’s UDA camp. The duo spearheaded the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) campaign in Baringo County.

In Nakuru, Ruto formally received Keroche Beweries Chief Executive Officer Tabitha Karanja who announced that she would vie for the Nakuru Senate seat on a UDA ticket.

“I have been impressed by the Bottom Up economic model and the empowerment plans for the ordinary Kenyans,” she said when she was introduced to the crowd by outgoing Senator Susan Kihika who is now vying for the governorship.

Senator Kihika pledged to address the plight of small scale traders, hawkers and matatu operators who were removed from their designated areas in 2020, to pave the way for the upgrading of Nakuru municipality to a city.

“I know what you’re going through. I know your businesses are suffering but I promise to address this issue immediately I get in, so I plead with you to support us in this journey,” Kihika said.

Describing the rally as historical, Kihika urged locals to rally behind the Deputy President, saying Nakuru is a “small Kenya” and whatever is accepted there is likely to be embraced by the rest of the country.