Rift Valley Counties where Ruto’s influence will be diminished

Deputy President Dr William Ruto is not only set to face it rough in Kiambu, but also his own Rift Valley backyard. Over the weekend, we saw members of Kieleweke, an anti-Ruto Jubilee party outfit warning him never to step his foot in Kiambu without the company of his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta.

However, a rift has again occurred in the Rift! Rift Valley leaders opposed to the DP have identified at least eight counties where they seek to diminish the influence of the second in command.

Allies of the Baringo senator and KANU party leader Gideon Moi say it will be difficult for the DP to make a meaningful political impact with the myriad of accusations against him.

Isaac Ruto’s Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) has identified key counties, especially in the South Rift, dominated by the Kispsigis where it’s seeking a clean sweep of electoral seats.

These are Kericho, Bomet, Narok and parts of Uasin Gishu and Nakuru counties.

Kanu on the other hand is targeting Nakuru, Baringo, Laikipia, West Pokot and Samburu

This leaves Jubilee with mainly the North Rift counties including Nandi, Elgeiyo Marakwet, Trans Nzoia, Turkana and Kajiado.

Last week, Isaac Rutto said it must be made clear that Rift Valley does not belong to anybody.

“In Rift Valley, there is this notion that this is a stronghold of a certain party. We want to go into the next election with free political space. If someone will come to force us to toe some political line, we will deal with it directly. We will no longer take intimidation,” he said.

Two weeks ago, the CCM boss received a team of defectors from the DP’s camp including wealthy businessman Zedekiah Bundotich popularly known as Buzeki.

Rutto said that his party will begin crisscrossing the country to popularise itself and recruit new members.

On the other hand, Gideon, is said to be quietly approaching friends far and wide with talk of a pact with between him and the ODM leader Raila Odinga in the offing.

Whom do you think will carry the in the Rift Valley when 2022 comes?

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *