About 5,000 United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party delegates yesterday endorsed Ruto to be their Presidential candidate in the 2022 general elections at a National Delegates Conference (NDC) in Kasarani gymnasium.
Speaking during the meeting, The Deputy President said he will free the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) from the state. “On our first day, we will free the DCI and KRA from the state factor.” He stated. Ruto also promoted his Bottom Up narrative saying that his government will concentrate on reviving the agriculture sector and give jobs to the youth.
He talked of a difficult second term in office as the Deputy President stating that his woes began when he was asked to let President Uhuru deliver his agenda and the coming in of the hand shake by ODM Leader Raila Odinga.
In a move to solidify the mountain block votes, former Governor of Kiambu County, William Kabogo, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and TSP party leader Mwangi Kiunjuri joined the Hustler movement. Political analysts describe this as a clever strategy to earn popularity in the mountain region but warn it may cost him a number of elective seats from the region to Jubilee Party if his political allies decide to compete for various sits amongst each other and not pick on one candidate.
The Mount Kenya Region is seen as a rich voting block and Presidential candidates are scrambling to get a share of the votes from the region. The region is estimated to have about 6 Million voters that will lead any presidential candidate to a comfortable win.
Ruto also has to deal with the Running mate factor and pick from the Mountain or his political Allie in Kenya Kwanza Alliance Musalia Mudavadi. The Amani Coalition Members have given an Irreducible minimum condition stating that they will want Musalia to be Ruto’s running mate if the statement made by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has to go by.
However at the NDC, DP Ruto promised Musalia a place in his government if he wins the August 9th 2022 elections.