Nyeri Town Member of Parliament, Ngunjiri Wambugu, has softened his stance on supporting Deputy President William Ruto in his presidential quest in the August 2022 General Election.
On Tuesday, September 21, the outspoken lawmaker appeared to extend an olive branch to the second in command by claiming that the Mt Kenya region is ready to welcome him back.
Wambugu claimed that his decision to push against Ruto's presidency was majorly informed by the DP's change of heart.
The legislator argued that the Mt Kenya region can only support his bid if he assures the people of the mountain that he will champion their interests in his government.
"However, we will watch him and see whether he can be trusted, and if he can, we are happy to have him join us in considering what’s in it for us as a region before we vote for whichever candidate, which has been my consistent message about 2022," part of his message read.
Wambugu maintained that his decision to support or not support a candidate is based on interests rather than political debts. His remarks were in reference to a statement by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria who he says was in the forefront championing for repayment of political debts.
"I am glad he (Kuria) finally agrees politics is about interests and votes must be negotiated for, but I had to remind him that he spent the last three years as proponent of ‘we have a debt to Ruto and will elect him unconditionally’, so he must appreciate that some of us find his recent change of heart welcome," he noted.
His sentiments come just days after the Nyeri Town MP issued tough conditions to Ruto if a handshake between him and President Uhuru Kenyatta was to materialise.
On Friday, September 17, Ngunjiri asked DP Ruto to humble himself and issue a public apology to Uhuru, sincerely and genuinely.
In his list of demands, Ngunjiri asked Ruto that after issuing the apology to the Head of State, he should not expect to be endorsed for the country's top seat.
"Ruto first needs to accept he wronged his boss. He then needs to humble himself and lose his hubris. He should then get off his high horse and publicly apologize to Uhuru. Sincerely and genuinely - not these cheeky statements he makes. And without conditions. And not necessarily expecting to be forgiven. Or be supported in 2022," Ngunjiri stated.
"After that, he needs to accept that even after apologising, and even if Uhuru were to decide to forgive him, Uhuru could still insist that he is not the right person to become President after him, especially after what he’s learnt about him during the last 10 years."
