DP Ruto heads to Laikipia County on Saturday for campaign

Deputy President William Ruto is expected to lead the Kenya Kwanza team in Laikipia County on Saturday for a one-day visit to safeguard their supporters.

The DP will be expected to tour Nyahururu town and Nanyuki where he will be accompanied by UDA supporters.

Laikipia West, MP Patrick Mariru through his social media pages revealed the details.

He revealed that a meeting to strategize the DP visit was held in Nanyuki on Tuesday morning and was chaired by Ruto’s designated deputy nominee Rigathi Gachagua.

“The County UDA leadership met in Nanyuki, together with our DP Nominee, Hon Rigathi Gachagua. We deliberated extensively on this Saturday’s DP William Ruto visit (to Nyahururu and Nanyuki),” Mariru said.

He further said that they strategized on how they will campaign for DP Ruto’s presidential bid in Laikipia County and the neighboring Counties.

Ruto recently appointed former Laikipia governor Joshua Irungu, Laikipia West MP Patrick Mariru, area Senator John Kinyua, and former Laikipia West MP Wachira Karani as the UDA party point men in the region.

Others on the list include Women representative Cate Waruguru and Ngobit MCA Robert Maina, popularly known as Roberto among others.

According to a reliable source, the DP will be expected to meet grassroots leaders during the region economic forum.

He will be accompanied by leaders from Mount Kenya among them Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Alice Wahome (Kandara), Kimani Ichungwa),William Kabogo (Kiambu) among others.

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua recently told the Star that the DP and his brigade will not allow Raila to overtake them in the Mt Kenya region.

“The hustler movement is unstoppable. The DP has been part of Mt Kenya people for years now and over that period, he has endeared himself to the people, he has stood with us in times of need and participated in the development agenda of the region,” he told the Star.

The DP will be expected to drum support for the UDA candidates within the region who are allegedly facing strong opposition from the Nderitu Mureithi (Jubilee) and Mwangi Kiunjuri (TSP).

Kiunjuri party TSP is a member of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance that is led by deputy president William Ruto.

Political pundits believe that the DP visit to the region is mainly to neutralize the gains that Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua may have gained.

About two weeks ago, Martha Karua and Agriculture CS Peter Munya on Tuesday led the coalition’s campaigns in Laikipia County.

They made stops at three towns including Nyahururu town, Wiyumiririe, and Naibor area.

Praising the residents of Laikipia for welcoming the team, Karua said the coalition’s priority is uniting Kenyans.

“The Azimio team is comprised of hard workers and we are determined to build, protect and preserve the dignity and welfare of all Kenyans,” she said.

The DP is expected to traverse the areas that the Azimio team traversed.

During his latest visit to Laikipia early this year, Ruto was booed by the crowd when making his speech, however, undeterred, the DP told off the crowd and maintained that he won’t be intimidated.

“Msikuje hapa kupiga kelele kwa mkutano yangu. Kila mtu apange mkutano yake. Wacheni upuzi hapana (Don’t come to make noise at my rally. Everyone should plan their rally. Stop the stupidity),” he said, as the crowd continued booing and heckling.

Ruto urged residents to vote for UDA candidates in 2022.

Mount Kenya MCAs caucus chairman Charles Mwangi Ng’ang’a (Ichagaki One) told the Star the DP and his team are worried over the inroads that the Azimio have made.

Mr. Ichagaki said that the numerous road trips that the UDA team is making are aimed at neutralizing the gains made.

“Either Ruto or Raila can claim that they own Mt Kenya votes, things are quickly changing since the nomination of Karua and the august election will be mix and match by bringing in the independent candidates factor,” Ichagaki said.

Both Raila and Ruto are eyeing a huge chunk of the region’s votes ahead of the august election.