Wamatangi, Kabogo, Kuria join Kenya Kwanza at Thika rally
By Mathew.Ndungu and Oliver Musembi, March 14, 2022Deputy President William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza coalition got a major boost when former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and Senator Kimani Wamatangi joined the movement.
The three declared their decision to work with the DP at a rally at the Thika stadium in Kiambu county yesterday, a move likely to shape the political landscape of Mt Kenya region and the country at large.
Kabogo and Kuria who are Tujibebe Wakenya and Chama Cha Kazi party leaders are both aspirants for the Kiambu county governorship, a race that has intensified since the duo declared interest in the position.
Others in the same race are Senator Kimani Wamatangi who defected from the ruling Jubilee Party to United Democratic Movement (UDA) and Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina ‘Jungle’ who recently re-defected to the same party affiliated to Ruto.
Wamatangi was officially welcomed to UDA by Ruto and is expected to fight for the party ticket with Wainaina, County Assembly Speaker Stephen Ndicho and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu.
Standing ovation
A standing ovation greeted the entry of Kabogo and Wamatangi at the venue where Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetangula of Ford-Kenya and 10s of leaders in attendance.
In their statements, the three new entrants in the alliance that will battle it out with Azimio La Umoja coalition said they joined Ruto’s camp after ‘listening to the ground’.
Led by Kabogo, the leaders said they had warned Ruto against relaxing and waiting to be handed over power adding that the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was a well-choreographed scheme to reduce the DP’s chances of ascending to presidency.
“I warned you Ruto not to wait to be given power and I remember telling you to go talk to Kenyans. You luckily heard me and today Kenyans are behind you. We are now saying Tujibebe na UDA,” said Kabogo.
Following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s defection to Azimio La Umoja, Kabogo announced that he was ready to be the spokesperson and kingpin of Mt Kenya region.
“There are people who are saying that President Kenyatta will show us the way. We will not be shepherded or forced into a particular political direction,” added Kabogo.
Kabogo at the same time urged Ruto, should he rise to the top seat to consider fair distribution of national resources based on population. “Please also don’t humiliate your deputy when you rise to power the way you have been done by your boss in the past four years,” Kabogo stated.