Just days after the Kisii leaders endorsed Interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiangi for the 2022 presidential race, Deputy President William Ruto on Monday made a grant entry into Nyamira county in Kisii to a triumphant reception by a section of leaders from the region.
Ruto who landed for a fund drive in Ekerenyo in North Mugirango seized the opportunity to popularize his bid while at the same time selling his Tanga-tanga gospel to the region ahead of 2022.
While it had been anticipated that the leaders from the region will snub Ruto’s Monday function due to the current political wind aligning to Fred Matiangi’s direction, a good number of them led by Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi flock the venue to welcome Ruto.
Among the eight members of Parliament from Kisii and Nyamira counties who accompanied the Deputy Governor to the “Rigoma Declaration” in which they all resolved to back Ruto’s 2022 bid included;
Gusii Parliamentary Caucus Chairman and North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko, Vincent Kemosi (West Mugirango), Shadrack Mose (Kitutu Masaba), Oroo Oyioka (Bonchari), Alfa Miruka (Bomachoge Chache), innocent Obiri (Bobasi), Ezekiel Machogu (Nyaribari Masaba), Jonah Mburu (Lari) and Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango)
“We are here to assure the deputy president that the Gusii Community is solidly behind him in 2022,’’ said Maangi.
Despite the presence of a good number of leaders from the region, notably missing from Ruto’s function were all county provincial administrators, including the County Commissioners with only junior officers present at the function.
This was contrary to Raila Odinga’s Sunday’s function at Chebara primary school in Elgeyo Marakwet county were all the government leaders including the county commissioner was present to welcome the former Prime minister.
What raised eyebrows, even more, is the fact that DP William Ruto had decided to snub President Kenyatta’s bilateral talks with the visiting South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir at State House Nairobi and instead flew to Nyamira for a fund drive function.
While recognizing Matiangi’s good efforts in the country, South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro observed that Matiang’i should not be cheated by some leaders that he is fit for the presidency saying that some experience was still needed.
“Currently our brother Fred Matiang’i is holding the third most powerful position in government. He should serve our community’s interests first before thinking of vying for the presidency,” said Osoro.
On his part, Dp William Ruto who seemed agitated highly rebuked the former Prime Minister in the process calling him the ‘lord of Poverty’. Ruto who was responding to Raila’s Sunday remarks against his frequent church donations and Harambees furiously accused him of opposing development projects in the country for his own selfish gains.
He opposes everything the Government wants to implement. He opposed dam projects, Euro bond, fundraising activities, church offerings and even plans to help poor youth rise above their positions. What are his intentions?” Ruto posed.
Also accompanying Ruto from Mt. Kenya region was Lari MP Jonah Mburu who assured the DP of the region’s solid support despite the current prevailing waves led by Tanga-tanga team.