List of Leaders Likely to Become Ruto’s 2022 Running Mate

With just less than three years to the 2022 general elections, presidential aspirants, who have come out to declare their interests, could be crisscrossing the country trying to identify their suitable candidates ahead of the race.

Among those aspiring to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, is Deputy President William Ruto. Despite perceptions that he is spoiled for choices, Ruto could be in a dilemma over his 2022 running mate.

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Deputy President William Ruto with former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo. Photo/File

Torn between retaining President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Mt Kenya base and appeasing other regions, the self-proclaimed hustler faces an uphill task in selecting a potential DP, who will represent the face of Kenya at the same time boost his chances of clinching the seat.

Selecting a Mount Kenya running mate would make it easier for Ruto to woo Uhuru’s supporters but then again, the act will have the danger of entrenching the “two communities in the Presidency” something which will work against him.

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Going for a running mate from another region is also more likely to pull Mt Kenya region away from Ruto’s basket since the region is more likely to feel secluded from the next government.

Nevertheless, here are some of Ruto’s likely partners in 2022 presidential race;

In Mt Kenya region, here are some of the leaders who have shown the capabilities of deputising William Ruto in 2022.

Mwangi Kiunjuri

The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Mwangi Kiunjuri is openly positioning himself for a key elective post in 2022.

In the run-up to the 2017 general election, Kiunjuri wanted to vie for the gubernatorial seat of Laikipia County, but his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, told him to shelve the move.

In May this year, Kiunjuri asked Mt.Kenya region to support Ruto in the 2022 presidential race. Early this month, a section of Laikipia leaders endorsed Kiunjuri as the next Mt Kenya kingpin.

They also wanted him to be Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 presidential election something that Kiunjuri promised to worked on when the time comes.

Mwangi Wa Iria

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The current Governor of Murang’a County is also seen as the major contender from the region. His influence in Mt. Kenya politics and adamant support for William Ruto has positioned him as one of the most likely candidate to be picked by Ruto.

Though Mwangi Wa Iria has registered his own political party, the Civic Renewal Party, he is likely to team up with Ruto in the race for 2022.

Kimani Ichungwa

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The MP for Kikuyu is undoubtedly Ruto’s die-hard and his possible point man to deliver Kiambu votes for Ruto in 2022.

Ichungwa has viciously defended Ruto against his political foes in central Kenya. While Ichung’wa is also vocal in Jubilee’s politics, him being flaunted to represent the Deputy President in Mt. Kenya, is seen as a big move to push him further into the limelight.

Ruto also has the Western Kenya headache. The region, which has suggestively leaned towards William Ruto’s Tanga-tanga side, is demanding that he considers one of their own for the position.

The front-runners from the region include;

Boni Khalwale

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The former Senator for Kakamega defected to Jubilee from Ford Kenya in 2018.

Khalwale has been a number one Ruto’s defender from the region and has hosted the Deputy President in Western Kenya on several occasions.

Western Kenya is considered one of the regions which will determine who will carry the day in 2022 due to its rich vote basket and by picking Khalwale, Ruto will increase his chances of winning the Luhya vote.

In May, Khalwale assured Ruto of his support in his bid for the presidency in 2022.

Musali Mudavadi

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The ANC leader is also likely to form an alliance with  Ruto ahead of the 2022 polls. The two are likely going to be brought together by the fact that they both seem to have been secluded by both the president and ODM party leader Raila Odinga.

Over time, politicians from Western Kenya allied to William Ruto have urged him to get a running mate from the region with some proposing a Ruto-Mudavadi formation.

Kalonzo Musyoka

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The former vice president is also likely to be Ruto’s running mate. If the current insinuations that Ruto and Kalonzo’s political agents were secretly meeting to hatch a working relationship, then Kalonzo will definitely become Ruto’s running mate in 2022.

Kalonzo’s alliance with Raila Odinga seemed to have dwindled with the collapse of the National Super Alliance (NASA).

Raila also seems to be avoiding Kalonzo as witnessed recently during Kibra by-election where Raila teamed up with other leaders from Ukambani.

Kalonzo is then likely to team up with Ruto in 2022 as one way of revenging against Raila.

Aisha Jumwa and Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya are also some of the leaders likely to make Ruto’s 2022 choice.

Mvurya ditched his former party ODM in 2015 and joined Jubilee Party, through which he was elected for the second time into the office.

 

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