Ruto vows to stir new conversation on political power

Deputy President William Ruto. [DPPS]

Deputy President William Ruto yesterday took his campaigns to Meru and hit out at politics of rewarding tribal kings every election cycle.

He said such politics was insensitive to millions of poor Kenyans because it revolved around rich tribal leaders who have been in leadership for far too long.

“For how long would our leading politicians meet to strategise on how to create posts such as Prime Minister when the ordinary boda boda rider and vegetable seller is thinking about securing his daily bread,” posed the DP at Maua where he stopped to address hundreds of locals.

“We reject law reform based on sharing national positions based on tribal arithmetics. We put on notice the rich that we are forming a government of the poor. Let the rich sort themselves out because they have capability,” he said.

The deputy president was in Meru for three functions but ended up addressing roadside rallies at Maua town, Kangeta market, Muriri market and Makutano in Meru town.

He was scheduled for a prayer breakfast in Maua Stadium and a fundraiser for a pastors’ forum fellowship which he gave Sh3 million with a promise for more.

He was accompanied by a host of local leaders and some from other counties who urged residents to support Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid.

“For the first time, we have a potential candidate who really cares about the welfare of the actual poor,” nominated MP Cecily Mbarire said at one of the stops at Uuru Stadium, Tigania West Sub-county.

Rich and poor

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwa said the ‘hustler’ narrative was not about the rich and the poor but “about the entitled and the enterprising.”

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua urged Kenyans to reject the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report because it was being shoved down their throats by State functionaries.

The leaders regretted that un-elected Jubilee “party caretakers” such as David Murathe (vice-chairman) and Raphael Tuju (secretary-general) had made a habit of undermining the DP.

They maintained that the disrespect was isolated and that Kenyans respected the deputy president.