Blow to Raila, Kalonzo as Ukambani Bigwigs Back Ruto

President William Ruto is welcomed by Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti and Kitui Governor Julius Malombe .jpg
President William Ruto is welcomed by Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti and Kitui Governor Julius Malombe for a thanksgiving service in Kitui County on Sunday, October 23, 2022.
Yoana Kimwele

President William Ruto charm offensive in the Lower Eastern region has finally borne fruit after the leaders from the region pledged to support him during his term in office.

Speaking on Sunday, October 23, leaders from the region led by Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti announced that they are willing to overlook past political differences and work with Ruto for the sake of their people.

Wavinya noted that they had the blessing of Wiper party leader  Kalonzo Musyoka who gave them the blessing to engage with the head of state.

President William Ruto attends a thanksgiving service in Kitui County on Sunday, October 23, 2022..jpg
President William Ruto attends a thanksgiving service in Kitui County on Sunday, October 23, 2022.
William Ruto

"You are the president of Kenya and we have to work with you if we truly love our people. We spoke to Kalonzo and he told us to come and pray with you; he sent us and told us that you are like a brother to him and that we should welcome you," she stated.

Wavinya declared that as long as the president sorted out the key problems in the region -  food and water shortage and insecurity, then they would support him in future.

"We want to work and deliver to our people and if you work well with us in these five years, we will stand with you. And as for your brother,  you know how you will sort things out with him," she stated

Wavinya made the remarks during a thanksgiving service in Kitui county, attended by the President and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

In response, Gachagua teased that if they wanted Kalonzo to be in government, then the county bosses should also take in some of the Kenya Kwanza election losers in her government.

The DP further noted that while they tried to woo the former Vice President, he chose to stick with Azimio flagbearer Raila Odinga - a move he claimed rendered the Wiper Party leader difficult to understand.

"We have no problem with Kalonzo, in fact, we are waiting for him, we just do not understand him. We reached out to him while he was frustrated by Azimio but he chose to stay there.

"The other day we saw him at the Mashujaa Day celebrations and we thought that he had finally chosen to be in government only for him to show up in Homa Bay yesterday," Gachagua remarked.

In addition, he admitted that he had taken issue with his boss over the nomination of several leaders from the region to his cabinet.

"I had a problem with the president because, despite this region giving us very few votes, he awarded it three nomination slots. So I asked him why, and he explained to me why and I understood.

Among those nominated include Dr Alfred Mutua (Foreign Affairs), Peninah Malonza (Tourism) and Monica Juma, who will be the Advisor to the Cabinet on matters of National Security.

A day after attending the celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Kalozno accused Ruto of turning into a dictator for allegedly running a one-man show government.

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka attends the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens on Thursday, October 20, 2022
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka attends the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens on Thursday, October 20, 2022.
William Ruto