William Ruto, the leader of Tanga Tanga movement and Kenya’s front-runner en-route to the 2022 Presidential race is notorious for his weekend visits in different of various parts of the Country including areas that were once percieved as opposition Strongholds like Migori, Homa Bay and Western Kenya.
His Tanga Tanga movement seems to have come in handy as members of the team have put up strategies to make the Ruto effect felt across the Country.
Every weekend they put up posters online outlining Dr Ruto’s activities, their message backed by bloggers across the jungle that is social media. They have cash and splash it at harambees.
Tabulations have shown that by mid last year the team was contributing at least Sh7 million a month, mostly during church harambees.
Dr Ruto has also gone on overdrive to launch projects across the country, unavailability of cash notwithstanding.
They have also launched a dynasty versus hustlers political storyline, insisting that those opposing a Ruto presidency are the old-guard who do not want the son of a peasant to ascend to power.
The other main political figures in the country, including President Kenyatta, Nasa leader Raila Odinga and ANC chief Musalia Mudavadi, come from aristocratic and mostly wealthy families with name recognition, a privilege Dr Ruto does not enjoy.
“Rich political brokers are only thinking about how to grow their wealth and do not trust the hustler son of a peasant. But votes belong to the common hustler and Wanjiku, who will back Ruto in 2022,” a member of team Tanga Tanga said.
Their aim is to ensure that the DP becomes president in 2022. “Our business is Ruto and Ruto is our business. He brings development to us,” Mr Nyoro added.
But Dr Ruto’s allure goes beyond development.
They argue that Dr Ruto is more accessible and pressures ministries and parastatals to fast-track projects, while getting an appointment with the President is not easy.
“The DP is more available. He even picks our calls,” Mr Linturi said.
Others, like Mr Gachagua, accuse the Murathe group of fronting Mr Mudavadi to succeed President Kenyatta.
“The same fellows who were pushing for Mr Mudavadi in 2013 are back. They want to edge out Dr Ruto the way they tried to keep Uhuru from the Presidency,” he added.