Deputy President William Ruto has rubbished recent meetings between Central Kenya tycoons and a section of 2022 presidential hopefuls, noting that he cannot and will not be part of such engagements.
Over the past week, a group of Central Kenya businessmen and influential personalities under the group Mt Kenya Foundation met ODM leader Raila Odinga, and One Kenya Alliance (OKA) principles who are both keen to have the group’s endorsement in 2022.
During the separate meetings, Odinga and the OKA principles presented their agenda to the foundation members, who’ve reportedly retreated to deliberate on who to support.
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ODM Leader Raila Odinga at a meeting with Mt Kenya Foundation members. [Photo: Courtesy]
Reacting to the meetings, the DP said he will not attend interviews at city hotels, arguing that mandate comes from the people, and as such, he will pitch camp at the grassroots and seek support from the electorate.
“Kuna majamaa wengine wako kwa mahoteli kule Nairobi, ati nyinyi mumetuma hao waende wafanyieinterview watu ambao wanataka kuwa rais… Mimi siwezi kuenda interview kwa hoteli, kama kuna mahali nitaenda interview, nitakuja Isiolo mnifanyie interview.
“As you look for the people who will look after your wealth, these ordinary citizens are looking for a President who will get them jobs,” Ruto said during his tour of Isiolo on Sunday.
Mt Kenya region currently boasts of over 7 million registered voters, with the number expected to increase during the mass voter registration exercise that is currently ongoing.
With President Uhuru Kenyatta set to vacate office in 2022 and lack of a formidable Presidential candidate from the region, most presidential aspirants have been pitching camp in Mt Kenya hoping to convince the region to support them in 2022.
