Deputy President William Ruto on Sunday donated Ksh 500,000 to Kimimini Catholic Church to help them pay off the existing debt for the church’s new bus.
Ruto announced the donation while addressing the congregants at the church on Sunday, May 8, on a political tour in the agricultural rich county.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) presidential flagbearer explained the lumpsum was part of the proceeds from the bounty harvest at his Sugoi farm.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has banned candidates running in the August 9 poll from participating harambees in accordance with the Elections Act. This has seen politicians come up with clever strategies of making public donations without necessarily attending fundraising.
“The chairman has informed me that you bought a church vehicle and the logbook is still with the seller “ the DP stated.
“My farm manager briefed me he had sold avocados, chicken, and eggs, he handed me Ksh 500,000 tithe to offer the church” he elucidated.
Ruto, seeking to consolidate his support in the Mulembe region, has in the past been put on the spot by his rivals to explain the source of his wealth.
During the church service, he was endorsed by Trans Nzoia County Governor Patrick Khaemba - adding to the list of county heads supporting the second in command in his presidential bid.
Khaemba has been neutral on his political inclination with his fellow governors drumming up support for either of the various presidential candidates.
Those seeking to succeed him include Kimimini MP Chris Wamalwa, vying on a Ford Kenya ticket, and political newbie and former Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya vying on the newly formed DAP-K party.
Other leaders who accompanied Ruto included Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula, Amani National Congress (ANC) Musalia Mudavadi, Wamalwa, National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, among other Kenya Kwanza affiliated politicians
The politicians, later on, went to Kitale town hall for the Economic Regeneration and Empowerment of Trans Nzoia County in a town hall discussion on the challenges and aspirations of the residents.
