Former Kiambu Governor, William Kabogo, has clarified statements he made during a political meeting between the Orange Democratic Party leader, Raila Odinga, and leaders from the Mt Kenya region in Ruiru, Kiambu County.
Appearing in an interview at a local TV station on Monday, November 8, Kabogo stated that he did not endorse Raila, adding that he was advising the former Prime Minister to work hard to solidify support from the vote-rich region.
The Tujibebe Party leader, who served as Kiambu Governor from 2013 to 2017, went ahead to assert that his promise to vote for the ODM leader could not guarantee him all the votes of the region.
"I told Raila that if he wanted the votes of Mt Kenya, he must show that he will work for the people of Mt Kenya," noted Kabogo.
"I did not say that you (Raila) would be President. I have only one vote and I told him that if he wanted my vote personally, I would give it to him. That is all I can promise him."
The former Governor explained that he attended the Ruiru meeting by virtue of his status of being a local leader, adding that he would go to any other leader’s meeting.
“I am a leader in Ruiru and if I hear that the President is coming there tomorrow, I will go there. If I know William Ruto is coming there, I will go there. If you want my support, you must convince me. You must give us reason why our votes as a mountain should come to you," the Tujibebe Party leader explained.
Additionally, Kabogo revealed that was still considering his next political move stating that he would make a good presidential candidate.
"I could go for the presidency. I could go back to Kiambu. I could give it a try in Nairobi. I could also opt not to run. For me, politics is a hobby. It is the leadership to give service," the former Governor stated.
However, Kabogo castigated Deputy President William Ruto for claiming that he was the Mt Kenya kingpin explaining that it was premature to make the statement.
"I am not going to go through the Deputy President to speak to the people of Kiambu or the people of Mt Kenya. I want to tell my friend the DP to come slow on this issue. You cannot just go out there and tell us that you are the kingpin."
"The people of Mt Kenya know what they want. If you assume that you have them in your pocket you would have yourself to blame. I would prefer the attitude where you come to us and tell us that you would want us to vote for you as President," Kabogo advised.
