William Ruto’s 2022 presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua has been advocating for the six-piece voting pattern in the Mt Kenya region.
The outgoing Mathira MP has been championing the election of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the region.
But with the increasing popularity of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition in the region, Gachagua has resorted to pleading with other candidates within the Kenya Kwanza Alliance to drop out of the race in favor of UDA candidates.
However, on Monday, June 27, Ruto’s running mate was shocked after Mathira parliamentary aspirant Daniel Kiige, a former street boy rejected Gachagua’s job offer to drop out of the race.
Kiige who is running under Freedom and Justice Party told Gachagua to his face that he was not wavering and would not be swayed by job promises.
“I’m happy that you have offered me a job but my mission is to help the people of Mathira, and I will not abandon that mission,” Kiige said, amid applause from the gathering.
The youthful politician stated that what he has gone through in his life has prepared him well enough to lead the people of Mathira.
“The problems I have gone through have prompted me to seek the leadership of this constituency. I feel I need to touch many hearts as a response towards lifting the people who are constantly struggling to wriggle out of their problems,” he said.
Gachagua had asked him to drop his parliamentary bid saying he would secure a job for him with the Nyeri County government if Governor Mutahi Kahiga manages to retain his seat.
But Kiige was adamant that he was not ready to step down and challenged his opponents to meet him at the ballot box.
Kiige who has been struggling to sustain his campaigns recently left Kenyans admiring his frankness after he donated Ksh 50 during a funeral event.
Currently, he relies heavily on donations from well-wishers to his campaigns.
William Ruto’s running mate was drumming up support for the UDA parliamentary candidate Eric Wamumbi.
Others eyeing the Mathira parliamentary seat are
Phyllis Wambura Maranga (Jubilee), Nairobi businessman Waruru Gikandi (Narc Kenya), Kiragu Karweru (Usawa Kwa Wote), and Phenansio Wang’ombe Thuku (independent).
