Deputy President is on a six 6-day charm offensive in Mt Kenya region before President Uhuru Kenyatta visits his backyard to campaign for ODM leader Raila Odinga.
The deputy president has rolled out an intensive schedule christened the second phase of bottom-up consultative meetings where he is expected to visit nearly all central region counties.
On Monday, February 14, DP Ruto held the first consultative meeting in Nyeri county, where he used the opportunity to say who would serve only for one term.
“I know we had a conversation with the President about my supporting his 10 years and his returning a hand for my 10 years,
“However, I don’t want 10 years now; I want us to agree on a five-year plan. If successful, add five more. If I fail, let us get a new person [as president]”. Ruto said.
Before Ruto’s visit to Nyeri, his close ally Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua said the weeklong visit by the DP Ruto is meant to rally the region behind his bottom-up economic model.
Gachagua further dismissed President Uhuru’s effort to influence his succession saying Mt Kenya is firmly behind DP Ruto for the presidency.
“We are not worried about his deals, we are with the people,” Gachagua said.
The tour of the second in command is expected to end by receiving Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria into the Kenya Kwanza alliance during his homing coming party slated for February 19.
Kivumbi.co.ke has established that President Uhuru will be touring the central region starting next week to campaign against his deputy.
The President has scheduled a meeting with Mt Kenya elected leaders at Sagana State Lodge next week where he is expected to officially unveil his campaigns for Raila in the vote-rich region.
The move by President Uhuru to formally throw his weight behind the ODM leader has sent jitters in the Ruto’s camp, because the Mt Kenya region will be a deciding factor in the August 9 presidential race.
Political analysts have opined that Ruto must garner over 80 % of the Mt Kenya votes just as Uhuru did in 2013 and 2017 for him to trounce Raila.
“Uhuru and Ruto won in 2013/17. Where did their numbers come from? has anything changed? where did Raila get his numbers? has anything changed? for Ruto to win this election he must keep the mountain.” Herman Manyora said in an interview with TV 47.
