On Sunday, February 27, Kenya Kwanza principals, Deputy President William Ruto and the Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader, Musalia Mudavadi, left the country on a 10-day trip to the United Kingdom, the US and Qatar.
Notably, Ford Kenya's Moses Wetangula, who is also a member of the newly formed political faction, is the only principal who remained behind. The absence of DP Ruto and Mudavadi, who have been vibrant in the coalition's campaigns, has sparked speculations on whether Wetangula will take charge of the rallies before the two jet back.
A section of politicians from the Kenya Kwanza alliance, however, have explained that the Bungoma Senator would not be directly in charge as Ruto's technical team will continue to coordinate the public meetings.
Speaking during an interview with a local media, Mathira Member of Parliament, Rigathi Gachagua, noted that the political rallies would go on as planned. He explained that they had divided themselves into two groups which will continue pushing the alliance's agenda across the country.
"We will keep the fire burning. We have a group of very serious leaders who are respected across the country, and we are going to divide ourselves into two teams," the Legislator stated.
The Mathira MP has emerged as a strong contender for the running mate position and despite being in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), he appears to rank above Wetangula in the pecking order - based on the protocol followed by Kenya Kwanza during its rallies.
On the issue of the running mate, the outspoken Legislator maintained that the position would go to a person from the vote-rich Mt Kenya region.
"You can take this to the bank, the running mate will come from the Mount Kenya region. We have given him a free hand and we will not dictate to him who he picks.
"It is him to look around among the leaders he works with and find out who is suitable to deputies him. Of course, he will have to consider somebody who is acceptable to the people in the region so that it translates into votes," Gachagua noted.
Gachagua's sentiments were echoed by his Kimilili counterpart, Didimus Barasa, who revealed that since the formation of the alliance, a team had been constituted to oversee the campaigns.
"The DP's team will coordinate all these teams. His strategic team will still be in charge but we are out to ensure that we execute these meetings as planned," noted Barasa.
Uasin Gishu Woman Representative, Gladys Boss Shollei, noted that the absence of Ruto and Mudavadi did not dent the Kenya Kwanza campaign trail.
"There is a team that leads the presidential campaign that even the DP consults with. It is not a one-man show. Our operations continue as planned," stated Shollei.
Shollei had been put on the spot by Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, who wondered why Wetangula would not be team leader now that he is the only Kenya Kwanza principal in the country.
She added that the campaigns would go on as planned, noting that the rallies were organized by a committee that was still in place, hence no need for Wetangula to take over.
