Alice Wahome: Why I'm Ruto's Best For Running Mate Seat

A collage of Kandara Member of Parliament Alice Wahome (left)  and Deputy President William Ruto (right).
A collage of Kandara Member of Parliament Alice Wahome (left) and Deputy President William Ruto (right).
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Kandara Member of Parliament Alice Wahome has offered herself as a potential candidate to become the running mate of Deputy President William Ruto in the 2022 General Election.

While addressing residents of Muranga during a funeral service, the long-term Ruto ally explained that she was best suited to become DP in a Ruto presidency because of the numerous occasions she has defended him from attacks of the deep state.

The two-term legislator, who has been a vocal critic of President Uhuru Kenyatta during his second term, added that she had been a faithful soldier of the DP and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party by popularising the Ruto's candidature in the vote-rich region.

Deputy President Willaim Ruto in Mathira, Nyeri County on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
Deputy President Willaim Ruto in Mathira, Nyeri County on Saturday, December 4, 2021.
DPPS

"If you are asked as Murang’a people who the woman that has remained steadfast in support of the DP is, I know you would not have problems picking her. You know her?” Wahome posed.

Additionally, the legislator asserted that Muranga deserved the running mate seat given their history in influencing the outcome of presidential elections. She also added that it was time for the DP to also consider picking a woman as a running mate as it would boost his State House bid.

'I strongly feel that Murang’a has the ability to deputise Ruto and that candidate should be a woman who is known to steadfastly defend him (Ruto) against the huge risks of deep state intimidation.

"The importance of women in political strategy to win the polls cannot be belittled,” she stated.

Wahome has on numerous occasions publicly blasted the president for his close friendship with ODM leader Raila Odinga and for allegedly snubbing the DP during the second term of the Jubilee government.

On November 6, Wahome threatened to sue Uhuru for appointing military officials to government parastatals. Additionally, in 2020, the Kandara MP moved to court to block Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Director-General Mohammed Badi from attending cabinet proceedings.

The sentiments by Wahome barely come days after Ruto hinted at picking Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate during his tour in Nyeri County. At the Nyeri Rally, the DP asked residents to allow the billionaire MP to accompany him in seeking national votes.

"You have given me kanda ya wira (Gachagua) to help me to seek the national votes and you will protect his seat here at home. Should I take him to help me?" the DP posed.

Following her announcement, Wahome joins the list of potential candidates from Central Kenya who are likely to be picked for the running mate position even as the country heads to the polls in nine months.

Mathira MP Nderitu Gachagua at a past event in Nyeri in 2018
Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua at a past event in Nyeri in 2018
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Rigathi Gachagua