Deputy President, William Ruto, was forced to intervene after Nyandarua gubernatorial aspirant, Waithaka Kirika Mwangi, started lecturing the Kenya Kwanza running mate, Rigathi Gachagua, in public.
Kirika who is running on The Service Party (TSP) ticket bashed Gachagua for asking Nyandarua residents to only vote for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidates in the August 9 polls.
Kirika opined that Gachagua had crossed the line and his remarks would dent the Kenya Kwanza popularity in the area since other aspirants felt left out.
He stated that all candidates under Kenya Kwanza seeking elective seats should be allowed to do so individually while drumming up support for the DP. Kirika added that the deputy president and his running mate should not pick sides within the coalition.
DP Ruto agreed with Kirika, stating that his complaints would be looked into. The crowd cheered as Kirika read the riot act to Gachagua.
This was during a rally in the larger Nakuru and Nyandarua counties on Thursday, May 19, where the DP pitched camp selling his bottom-up economic model to the electorate.
Ruto was accompanied by Gachagua, Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua among other leaders.
The entry of Moses Kuria’s Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) and Mwangi Kiunjuri’s TSP into Kenya Kwanza complicated the matrix for hardliners in the coalition who had called for a six-piece model of voting.
The sibling rivalry within Kenya Kwanza is also being witnessed in other parts of the country such as Kakamega where Amani National Congress (ANC) and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) aspirants have engaged in friendly fire. Mumias East parliamentary aspirant on ANC ticket, David Wamatsi, accused UDA of campaigning against him.
Wamatsi warned UDA candidates against pushing him to the wall and threatened to mobilise his supporters to vote for Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition presidential aspirant, Raila Odinga.
He stated that Mumias East Member of Parliament, Ben Washiali, and Senate aspirant Boni Khalwale should stop campaigning for his UDA rival David Mapwoni.
In Kilifi, wrangles have also emerged between UDA and Pamoja African Alliance (PAA).
Supporters of Kilifi governor, Amason Jeffa Kingi, PAA party told off Malindi Member of Parliament, Aisha Jumwa, over her recent attacks on the outgoing governor's integrity.
The supporters led by Patience Kipusa asked Jumwa to refrain from discrediting the governor, adding that the latter was the one who was synonymous with graft.
Kipusa asked Jumwa to keep Kingi's name out of her mouth during her campaigns and promised to put up a fearless fight against her if she persists. She added that the governor's move to join Kenya Kwanza was for the good of the people of Kilifi.
