Deputy President William Ruto has launched a charm offensive at President Uhuru’s backyard in Mt Kenya to win more support in the region ahead of his titanic presidential battle with ODM leader Raila Odinga in 2022.
Reports from Ruto’s camp indicate that he will be crisscrossing the Mt Kenya region this week in a move to sell his agenda and consolidate his support.
He has laid down an elaborate strategy to woo all the MPs and Senators in President Uhuru’s backyard to join his United Democratic Alliance team by January 2022.
Ruto’s camp is also said to be wooing Mt Kenya Governors and key political players allied to Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“The defections serve both sides. The defecting lot is desperate for political survival while Ruto is out for numbers and the perception that he has an upper hand,” political analyst Macharia Munene said in an interview with the People Daily Newspaper.
The political analyst argued that the defections are meant to be a psychological weapon against his (Ruto’s) opponents.
According to William Ruto ally and Keiyo South MP Daniel Rono, they are prepared to use every means possible to ensure they have the numbers that will transform to votes in 2022.
“This is politics and what matters is the numbers and as UDA, we are in that game of getting the numbers. We will use all possible means, including propaganda and stating facts.
In politics, you go where numbers are. Now if the people of Mt Kenya region are with Ruto, what will you be doing in an empty house?” he posed.
The oncoming defections follow one by powerful Mt Kenya leaders; Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and Laikipia Woman Rep Cate Waruguru.
The Deputy President has also expressed interest in working with the One Kenya Alliance members to beat Raila Odinga in 2022.
We are ready to partner with those who believe in our agenda… If they (OKA team) are ready, let them come and work with us. Our priority is in investing in projects that will create at least four million jobs for the youth,” he said during his recent rally in Mt Kenya.
