Kenya leaders root for Kiunjuri to be Ruto’s running mate
Leaders from Mt Kenya who have been meeting to lobby for him say he is experienced and able to unite the vote rich region.
The DP who is keen to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 2022 election is shopping for a running mate with his possible picks being individuals from Western and Mt Kenya region.
Deputy President William Ruto and former Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri in Lari on January 29, 2020
TANGATANGA: Deputy President William Ruto and former Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri in Lari on January 29, 2020
Leaders from Mt Kenya have started lobbying for former Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri to be Deputy President William Ruto’s running mate in next year’s presidential race.
The Star has learnt that in the last three weeks, a caucus of members of National Assembly, Senate and influential grassroots leaders have been meeting to strategise on how to rally other leaders and residents of the larger Mt Kenya region to back Kiunjuri.
The strategy meetings have taken place in Nairobi, Nyeri and Kiunjuri’s home county of Laikipia.
The DP who is keen to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 2022 election is shopping for a running mate with his possible picks being individuals from Western and Mt Kenya region.
Others positioning themselves for DP’s running mate are Tharaka Nithi senator Kindiki Kithure, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and the new entrant –outgoing Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
Laikipia Senator John Kinyua said Kiunjuri is politically experienced and widely acceptable across the larger Mt Kenya.
Speaking to the Star on phone on Tuesday, Kinyua said the leaders from Laikipia have endorsed the ex-CS who was dropped from Cabinet in 2020 to go to the negotiating table with the DP.
“He has our blessings, he has what it takes not only to be the running mate but to also run for president. But for now, we have told him to work with the DP because that is where the desires and wishes of our people are,” he said.
Kiunjuri, The Service Party leader, was part of the senior politicians who held a meeting with Ruto in Narok county sparking speculations that he is being considered for a top post in the secession matrix.
Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami said Kiunjuri is a seasoned leader who is ripe to unite and lead Mt Kenya, adding that his experience in politics and government affairs give him an edge over the rest.
“Apart from Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, and Martha Karua, there is no other politician who can challenge Kiunjuri in terms of experience. He was unfairly kicked out of government by his distractors who were unhappy because of his rising star,” Mukami told the Star.
