Stop early campaigns, William Ruto team cautioned

From left: MPs Maina Kamanda (nominated), Anthony Oluoch (Mathare) Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany) and Caleb Amisi (Saboti) during a service at ACK St. Christopher's Mathare Parish in Nairobi yesterday. The leaders called on politicians to cease from early campaigns and instead focus on development. [David Njaaga, Standard]

MPs allied to Kieleweke political outfit have hit out at Deputy President William Ruto's allies over early election campaigns in Central Kenya.

The team said the campaigns were undermining President Uhuru Kenyatta's legacy and development agenda.

This comes as the DP has intensified visits to the Central region, in what some see as an early hunt for the 2022 votes.

“There are MPs going round the Central region campaigning under the pretense of donating to churches. I feel for them because come 2022 they will not be getting any votes for going against our president,” said nominated MP Maina Kamanda. He urged the Dr Ruto allies to keep off the Central Kenya region until 2022.

Mr Kamanda spoke at ACK St Thomas church in Huruma in Nairobi, yesterday where he was accompanied by Mathatre MP Anthony Oluoch, Cherengany MP Joshua Kutuny and Saboti MP Caleb Hamisi.

Kamanda further commended the church for its resolve not to accept donations from politicians, apart from offerings. 

The leaders also warned Ruto against nonstop attacks on President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga.  

“We have more pertinent issues to discuss as a country, such as the high cost of living, corruption and insecurity, yet people insist on going round the country abusing the President and Raila over handshake,” said Saboti MP Caleb Hamisi.

Cherengany MP Joshua Kutuny said the leaders fighting the handshake were involved in graft. He urged Uhuru to "act on them" with the "handshake blessings."