Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei asked DP Ruto to select Moses Kuria as his running mate for the 2022 General Election on Saturday, July 24.
Kuria has been at the forefront of opposing the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) constitutional amendment drive while executing an agenda to cement Ruto in Central Kenya.
While persuading the residents of Nandi to register as voters,Cherargei declared that Kuria had proven his loyalty to Deputy President Ruto. Cherargei added that Kuria had been there through the toughest of situations.
According to Cherargei, this justifies Kuria as the best possible candidate Ruto could align himself with for his presidential bid.
"We have seen how Kuria has been fighting for Ruto through thick and thin and his constant support to Ruto, which indicates that he is the best for his position,' reiterated Cherargei.
However, Kuria asserted that he would not join the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) despite his unequivocal support for the DP’s 2022 presidential bid. Following the retreat, Murang’a Senator Irungu Kangata lauded him adding that his move was for the greater good.
Earlier this year, Kuria's former party, the People’s Empowerment Party (PEP), was identified as a Hustler Nation partner, acting as a proxy for DP Ruto’s UDA in the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region.
The party was allegedly curated to popularize Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid in Central Kenya.
In May 2021, PEP clinched victory in the Juja Parliamentary Seat by-election which analysts called ‘unlikely’. This is because Jubilee Party suffered a setback in its perceived stronghold as its candidate, Peter Thinji lost to George Koimburi of PEP.
On Monday, May 24, Kuria announced that he would withdraw his party’s candidates from contesting in the Kiambaa by-elections. This was after he allegedly had talks with Deputy President William Ruto in a move that would have favoured UDA in the polls.
However, PEP national chairman Watson Simiyu announced that indeed a fallout with Kuria ensued due to disagreements in issues of rebranding. This led to the dismissal of the latter on July 23.
The Gatundu South MP allegedly wanted PEP to change its name to Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) and its slogan tailored to fit DP Ruto’s 'Hustler Nation' spirit.
