Ruto Assigns Special Roles to Each Kenya Kwanza Bigwig [LIST]

Deputy President William Ruto (fourth left) speaks to Speaker Justin Muturi and other leaders on Sunday, May 15, 2022.
Deputy President William Ruto (fourth left) speaks to Speaker Justin Muturi and other leaders on Sunday, May 15, 2022.
DPPS

Deputy President William Ruto, on Sunday, May 15, assigned special roles to his allies to spearhead campaign activities ahead of the upcoming August 9 General Election.

While unveiling his running mate Rigathi Gachagua at an event in Karen, the DP ruled out zoning noting that all parties were free to field candidates across the country.

To avert sibling rivalry, however, he assigned seasoned politicians within his camp leadership roles to ensure coordination in the grassroots campaign.

At the Coast Region, Kwale County Governor Salim Mvurya was appointed alongside his Kilifi counterpart Amason Kingi, former Lamu Governor Isaa Timami and Lydia Haika.

DP Ruto addresses the congregation at the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya National Convention 2022 at the Nairobi Baptist Church on Wednesday, May 11, 2022
DP Ruto addresses the congregation at the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya National Convention 2022 at the Nairobi Baptist Church on Wednesday, May 11, 2022
William Ruto

UDA Chairman Johnson Muthama, Machakos governor Alfred Mutua, Penina Malonza, Adelina Mwau and Jonathan Mueke were picked to head the South Eastern Region.

In his speech, the DP assured that periodically, the alliance would conduct polls and provide scientific information to ensure that they bag as many seats as possible. 

"In Kenya Kwanza, we are a coalition of democrats, the willing and the free. All parties will be allowed to field their candidates. We will, however, empower our candidates in every ward, constituency and County with scientific information on the performance of each candidate. 

"We will also provide a framework to encourage local agreements among the different parties in different areas to negotiate and agree on the best approach to our alliance winning a majority of seats in every level," stated Ruto.

Other appointments include National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, Meru Senator Mithika Linturi and Beatrice Nkatha to lead the Mt Kenya East region.

In Central Kenya, Kandara MP was selected to lead the efforts alongside Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, The Service Party (TSP) Mwangi Kiunjuri, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, MP Kimani Ichungwa, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Patrick Mariro and Faith Gitau.

Campaigns in the Rift Valley region will be headed by Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, former CS Charles Keter, Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok, Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal, Peris Tobiko and Narok Governor Samuel Tunai, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, MP Kimani Ngunjiri, Margaret Wanjala and Immaculate Shamala.

Migori Governor Okoth Obado, Charles Nyachae, Eliud Owalo, MP Sylvanus Osoro and Vincent Kemosi will head Nyanza region while Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, Beatrice Adagala, MP Benjamin Washiali, former CAS Ababu Namwamba and Emmanuel Osore will oversee the Western region.

In North-Eastern, Garissa Township MP Adan Duale will spearhead the campaigns with the assistance of Wajir West MP Ahmed Kolosh.

In the Upper Eastern region, the exercise will be led by Colonel Rasso Dido, Ali Hassan Tene and Mama Wario. Moses Kuria, on the other hand, will offer leadership to the economic team.

In his address, the DP also noted that the economic team, which is led by Economist David Ndii, was tasked with providing solutions centered around the economic well-being of the country.

The team, which has been expanded to include representatives from other smaller parties, was given a 45-day ultimatum to prepare a framework to implement a Ksh50 billion yearly hustler fund for affordable credit for the SMEs including Boda Bodas as well as provide mechanisms to eliminate and bring into force a non-exploitative government-led mobile and digital loan facility for the 15 million blacklisted by Credit Reference Bureaus (CRB).

Other tasks include conceptualising the acceleration of Universal Health Coverage to ensure that by December 2022, every citizen has a medical cover as well as concluding the economic transformation plan and draft legislative intervention on farmers' support for subsidised farm inputs like fertilizers.

"We have, therefore, incorporated the membership of the new parties into our economic team led by Prof David Ndii. We originally had membership from ANC and Ford Kenya. Now we have expanded it to include membership from the other parties.

"At the heart of the conversations we want to have is economic and we have tasked the team to work on our County Economic Priority Programme. We have given them 45 days to make sure that we have all the county economic charters. We intend to sign an economic charter with all counties," added the DP.

He also promised to work on a rapid programme on how  to deal with stalled, ongoing and new projects as well as equitable allocation of resources based on population among other consideration.

Ruto also expanded the Economic team to include Democratic Party representative Justus Kariuki, Judy Muhia (The Service Party), Morris Muthama (Maendeleo Chap Chap), Ruth Muthoni (Tujibebe Party), Edward Mwashinga (Pamoja African  Alliance) and Joyce Nyamweya of Chama Cha Kazi.

Deputy President William Ruto (left) and Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua.
Deputy President William Ruto (left) and Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua.
File