Leaders from Mount Kenya East have declared Deputy President William Ruto he must pick a running mate from the region for them to support his bid for the presidency in 2022.
Speaking in Tharaka-Nithi County headquarters during a ceremony to commission a newly constructed governor’s office, the leaders affirmed they would work to secure the DP's position.
Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki stated that the region was fronting Senator Kithure Kindiki to become the DP's running mate in 2022 and pleaded with leaders from the larger Mount Kenya region to support him.
The MP stated: "Already we have fronted Prof Kindiki who has worked with DP for a long time to be his running mate in the year 2022."
[caption caption="DP Ruto with Senator Kindiki"]
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On his part, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki asked Central Kenya region leaders to reciprocate Mount Kenya East’s long-time political alliance and support them for DP in 2022.
Governor Njuki maintained it was discouraging to see Mount Kenya in a strong bond during campaigns but the unity collapses when it comes to sharing of the national cake.
Meru Senator Mithika Linturi noted that the three counties, Tharaka-Nithi, Meru and Embu have at least a total of 1.7 million votes, hence giving them a bargaining power in the national politics.
He further stated they will hold meetings in each of the counties and other places to strategize and secure the DP position from other regions who are baying for it.
In a statement that seemed to target Governor Njuki and Senator Kindiki, Linturi challenged the Tharaka-Nithi leaders to put aside their political differences and work as a team.
A section of Jubilee legislators was alleged to have wooed former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth to be DP Ruto’s running mate in 2022.
[caption caption="DP William Ruto with politician Peter Kenneth"]
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The more than 20 MPs, senators and governors, who spoke in Eldoret on Sunday, argued that Kenneth was a formidable force in consolidating support for the Deputy President’s bid to succeed President Kenyatta.
