Deputy President William Ruto has always bragged of having many supporters behind him.
He has enjoyed the support of a huge number of politicians who have defected their parties to join Ruto’s movement through which they vow allegiance to UDA party.
In his slogan, Ruto is fond of saying that his 2022 ambitions are powered by God and Wananchi.
Well, the latest happenings in the Senate and National assembly have proved that only God and Wananchi would take a bullet for Ruto.
After spending much time opposing BBI together with Ruto, 6 of his allies from the Senate changed tune at the floor of the house when they voted yes for the constitution amendment.
Kivumbi.co.ke gives an analysis of the legislators who went against Ruto’s stand on the bill.
- Naomi Waqo Jillo.
Nominated Senator Naomi Waqo was among the six senators who were in February expelled from the ruling party Jubilee after they were found guilty of campaigning for Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto.
Waqo was expelled together with nominated senators Isaac Mwaura, Millicent Omanga, Victor Prengei, Falhada Dekow Iman, Naomi Jillo Waqo and Mary Seneta Yiane on 9February 2021.
Naomi, a close ally to DP Ruto on Tuesday, May 11, surprised the country when he voted ‘YES’ for the bill.
It was not immediately established why she made a last-minute U-tern but political pundits suspect she did so to safeguard her seat after the Jubilee party had expelled Isaac Mwaura.
It is suspected that Mwaura was expelled even before the voting process and that Waqo knew it earlier making her to pull the surprise and endorse the bill.
- Victor Prengei
Just like her counterpart Naomi Jillo, nominated Senator Victor Prengei has been on Jubilee radar following his close relationships with Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto.
Prengei, was recently expelled together with Isaac Mwaura, Millicent Omanga, Falhada Dekow Iman, Naomi Jillo Waqo and Mary Seneta Yiane.
However, the legislator, a close cohort of Sugoi man breathed a sign of reliefe after the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal suspended their expulsion.
Since Prengei has been a close ally of DP Ruto, majority of Kenyans were expecting him to vote against the bill but voted in its favor.
It is suspected that he too endorsed the bill to safeguard his seat in the Senate since Jubilee party has embarked on a move to purge all rebels.
- John Kinyua
Laikipia Senator John Kinyua has been a close ally of DP Rut and has in the recent past been among the key leaders drumming up support for the second in command to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Kinywa, who was among the representatives of leaders from Mt. Kenya region who held a high consultative meeting with Ruto at his Karen residence.
Kinyua spoke after the meeting affirmed his support to Sugoi man when they represented their demands to Ruto ahead of the 2022 General Election.
However, the lawmaker on Tuesday, May 11, voted in favor of the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill 2020, despite the fact that the Tanga Tanga faction has been pushing to oppose the bill.
The William Ruto wing alleged that creation of 70 more constituencies as well as expanded executive will be a burden to the taxman.
- Mohamed Mahamud
The Senate on Tuesday, May 11, approved the Constitution Amendment Bill (2020) paving the way for the BBI referendum.
Fifty-one senators voted for the Bill with 12 opposing while one abstained.
Mandera senator Mohamed Mahamud was among the 52 who endorsed the bill, going against the wish of his boss William Samoei Ruto.
- Christine Zawadi
Nominated senator Christine Zawadi was ejected from her seat by the Jubilee party over her frequent involvement with DP William Ruto.
Zawadi, a close ally to Ruto however followed the suit of other legislators from the Tanga Tanga brigade to endorse the BBI bill.
- Senator Philip Mpaayei
Kajiado senator Philip Mpaayei was among some of the DP’s lieutenants who voted for the bill in the Senate.
Mpaayei has been thought to be sidelining on Ruto’s side as the season of political realignments gears up ahead of the much anticipated 2022 General Election.
