Cracks within Kenya Kwanza alliance affiliate parties have begun to emerge in what could derail William Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid.
During a Kenya Kwanza alliance rally in Kiambu County, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo publicly clashed with Senator Kimani Wamatangi of UDA.
Kabogo and Gatungu South MP Moses Kuria later accused Deputy President William Ruto’s party, UDA of orchestrating the downfall of smaller parties in Mt Kenya.
Speaking in Thika Constituency on Thursday, June 16, a visibly agitated Kabogo, urged residents to consider voting for the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party presidential flag bearer Raila Odinga.
“Na nikasema hapa kuna kura mingi ya Raila Odinga, mimi nasema iko mingi, zi munionyeshe kura ya Odinga. (And I said Raila Odinga will get many votes from here..Show me by a sign of hands those who will vote for Odinga)”Kabogo stated as the crowd put their hands in the air indicating they will vote for Raila.
Kabogo further hit out at William Ruto’s running mate, Rigathi Gachagua accusing him of being dictatorial.
“Mimi tumeanza kukosana na Ruto kwa sababu nilikataa Gachagua, huyo jamaa ni dictator, na niambia Ruto atapoteza kura nyingi kwa sababu ya huyo jamaa,” Kabogo said.
Loosely translated to, “I have begun differing with Ruto because I refused Gachagua as his running mate, this guy is a dictator, and I told Ruto he will lose a lot of votes because of Gachagua”
According to Kabogo, the country will be in the wrong hands if the Mathira MP takes power in the event DP Ruto is found to be unable to discharge his duties as stipulated in the Constitution.
“Sasa wewe pika hesabu, William Ruto ameshindwa na Kazi, ati Rigathi Gachagua amekuwa president. (Just imagine William Ruto is unable to perform his duties and, Rachagua is forced to take over)” Kabogo posed.
The ongoing tension in the Kenya Kwanza alliance has forced the Chama Cha Kazi party led by Moses Kuria and William Kabogo’s Tujibebe Wakenya outfit to pull out of Kenya Kwanza alliance Mt Kenya campaigns citing frustrations from UDA.
“Following the unfortunate incident of June 15, the Tujibebe Wakenya party and Chama Cha Kazi parties have decided to pull out of the UDA caravans as they are set up to embarrass other parties and demonize the Kenya Kwanza Alliance as a coalition,”Kuria and Kabogo said in a joint statement dated June 16.
According to the two leaders, there is a plot by the UDA Party to lock out fringe parties from the Mt Kenya region in its bid to exert authority and control over the region.
“It is clear from the foregoing that a decision has been made by some quarters that parties with a strong footing in Mt Kenya region are not wanted in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance,” the two added.
