Meru leaders to stick with Ruto for Kindiki to rise to presidency

Meru governor Isaac Mutuma.[File, Standard]

A section of Meru leaders have committed to stick with President William Ruto and support his re-lection bid next year.

That is on condition that he retains Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as his running mate, and in the hope that Dr Ruto will then support the former Tharaka Nithi Senator to succeed him in 2032.

Led by Governor Isaac Mutuma, his deputy Linda Kiome-Gitonga and several MPs, the leaders noted that it was the first time that someone from Meru had risen to become a deputy president and was a heartbeat away from the highest seat.

Speaking when President Ruto graced the 60th anniversary celebrations for Burieruri Boys High School in Igembe Central, the leaders said since independence the Meru voters had always cast their votes in favour of presidential candidates from mt Kenya west.

With Kindiki primely placed to become Kenya's sixth president, MPs Rahim Dawood (North Imenti), Mpuru Aburi (Tigania East), Dan Kiili (Igembe Central) and Kirima Nguchine (Central Imenti), said they will firmly support Ruto's quest for a second term, which will pave the way for Prof Kindiki's run for state house.

"I have worked with him for many years, and we wish him to remain there (as DP and running mate), because we want to elevate him in 2032," said Mr Dawood, who will also be gunning for a fourth consecutive term as MP.

Dawood (independent) castigated those who are opposed to Dr Ruto and Kindiki winning another term.

Mr Aburi also pointed out the fact that the voters in larger Meru (Meru and Tharaka Nithi) had cast their lots with presidents from Mt Kenya west region, and it was now time for them to reciprocate.

Aburi told off Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua for campaigning against Ruto and Kindiki.

"We (Meru) supported Jomo Kenyatta for 15 years, Kibaki for 10 years, Uhuru Kenyatta for 10 years and Gachagua for two years.  It is now that President Ruto picked Kindiki as his deputy that they (mt Kenya west) do not want Ruto to get a second term," he said.

Aburi (National Ordinary People's Empowerment Union) said their aim as the Meru community is to ensure Ruto sails through and governs for another five years, and Kindiki takes over.

"My own son (Rodgers Kipembe) was supporting Gachagua but he is back in the fold and is supporting Ruto," he said.

Mr Kiili said they were backing Ruto to the hilt and ensure he emerges victorious in next year's polls, after which they will support Kindiki's presidential quest.

"We are going to fight those who are fighting Ruto with all our might. We must stand with Ruto, so that we can build Kindiki for presidency," he said.

Kiili (Jubilee)added: "We have supported our brothers in mt Kenya west for many years. It is their turn now to return the favour by re-electing Ruto for another five years, and then Kindiki. As we talk he is the senior most (elected) leader in mt Kenya, and we must support him."

Tigania West MP John Mutunga (UDA), also referred to the political union  that had held mt Kenya west and east together since independence, saying it should be propagated by reciprocity.

"We have done a lot with our friends in mt Kenya west. They should be with us in supporting Ruto and then our son (Kindiki) to rise to the highest seat in the land," Mr Mutunga said.

With mt Kenya seemingly slipping from his grasp, President Ruto pointed to electricity, roads, educational and other projects in Meru and Tharaka Nithi, and as he praised Kindiki for his leadership qualities, exuded confidence with elections in the horizon.

"We are going to show them dust in the elections next year. They will be shocked," said Ruto.

Ruto said Meru was central to the country's development, as were all other parts of the country, but he had made deliberate efforts to distribute development opportunities to all parts of the nation.

"In the past some parts were discriminated against," he said.

Ruto listed some of the successes of his administration which included enhanced staffing of schools, their infrastructure, as well as roads, electricity, water and other projects, which he said will ensure he beats the opposition in the polls.

"They do not have a development agenda. Their biggest achievement is giving me a nickname, Kasongo!" he said.

He added: "Some people have been in government for 50 years but have nothing to show for it. They have not done any development."

He took a swipe at Gachagua, and said Kindiki was doing a better job as his principal assistant than Gachagua did.

"He is a leader with abilities, he is not like the other one. He will go far," Ruto said.