Ruto and Wetangula’s 2022 presidential handshake

Deputy President William Ruto with Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula and other leaders from Western Region yesterday

Is Ruto going back to Nasa or is Wetangula going to Jubilee? A shifting political pattern that is a common trend in Kenyan politics has been witnessed again with the DP and Wetangula who decided to have their own handshake and run together in 2022 general elections.

FORD Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula has shelved his ambition to vie for the presidency in 2022 and thrown his support behind Deputy President William Ruto’s bid. The Bungoma Senator who fell out with National Super Alliance (NASA) 2017 presidential candidate and Opposition leader Raila Odinga after the controversial swearing in on Tuesday, January 30, had earlier announced he would be on the ballot in 2022.

Speaking in his Butonge, Bungoma county on Friday, October 12, where he accompanied Ruto to launch several government projects, Wetang’ula made it clear he was done with NASA which he had referred to as a moribund faction, saying he would back the DP’s candidacy in 2022.

The FORD Kenya leader who had earlier been quoted by saying he was shopping for a potential partner for 2022 argued that backing Ruto was the surest way of forming the next government. “I have assured my supporters we will be in government in 2022. The sure way to do it is working with Ruto who will lead the assault for the top seat,” Wetang’ula said.

His sentiments came few days after former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama announced that he had met Wetang’ula to discuss and develop a strategy of resuscitating NASA. The coalition’s bond was further dissolved after Raila mend ties with President Uhuru Kenyatta through the handshake without his co-principal’s knowledge. Ruto has been making frequent tours in the larger western Kenya in what is perceived as a tactic to penetrate the region deemed to be the Opposition’s stronghold and has won endorsement of some legislators from the rival coalition.

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