The race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta is heating up with more entrants declaring interest in challenging DP Ruto for the seat.
ODM Governor joins race to succeed Uhuru, declares interest in Presidency
I am going to national politics. I also want to be President of Kenya-Governor declares.
File image of governors posing for a photo with President Uhuru Kenyatta. A number of governors are considering contesting for the Presidency in 2022
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The latest to declare interest in the seat is Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong who divulged that he is keen on ascending the presidency and has been meeting NASA leader Raila Odinga, Deputy President William Ruto among others in line with his dream.
“I am going to national politics. When you see me going to see Ruto or Raila it’s not that I am supporting them, I am also looking to be the President of Kenya.” Ojaamong declared.
Addressing the public at Busia Agricultural Training Centre, the Busia County boss hinted at greater things to come, disclosing that his political career would reach new heights.
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“When you see me talking to Uhuru Kenyatta I also want to be President because his term is ending… Mutashangaa hivi karibu (A surprise awaits you in the near future) how I will go up.” He said.
File image of DP William Ruto, governor Sospeter Ojaamong and Chief Administrative Secretary Foreign Affairs Ababu Namwamba in Busia
Pulse Live Kenya
Among those eyeing the seat is DP William Ruto who is the front runner in the most recent opinion polls.
Although NASA leader Raila Odinga has not declared his interest in the seat, his close allies including Siaya Senator James Orengo and Oburu Oginga have on more than one occasion disclosed that he could be on the ballot in 2022.
In September last year when addressing the public in Kisauni, Mombasa County where he issued 3,000 title deeds to squatters in Majaoni area, the DP accused Odinga of having a plot to kick him out of Jubilee just like he did in ODM.
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“The handshake is not a license so that you can bring confusion, propaganda and conman-ship into our party.
We will not entertain propaganda in the government. They joined us so that we can transform Kenya but if their intention is to break the Jubilee Party or the government, we are telling them ‘we are watching you.'” DP Ruto said.
“I was also in ODM and they kicked me out after issuing me with show cause letter as they have done to Aisha Jumwa and Suleiman Dori. But I want to tell them, you cannot eject me from ODM then follow me and have me out of Jubilee. That is impossible.” He added.
Raila Odinga with Hassan Joho
Pulse Live Kenya
However, recent declaration by former Jubilee Party Vice Chairman David Murathe that the party has no pact with the DP over his candidature has unsettled his allies.
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Declaration by President Uhuru Kenyatta that his choice of a successor in 2022 would be a surprise to many also got DP Ruto’s allies on the alert, causing a storm in Jublee.
"You can’t take the President’s remarks lightly. They mean a lot, especially when they come at a time when Kenyans are aware there was an obvious political deal for 2022. The DP should know that the master is not happy".
Also unsettled by the remarks was Former Kipkelion MP Magerer Langat who termed it as a wake-up call to DP Ruto’s camp that President Kenyatta may renege on his promise to back Ruto’s 2022 bid.
"He [Uhuru] has become a President playing his cards close to the chest. This is a wake-up call to the Deputy President and his team that all is not well. He should know that he is no longer the guaranteed successor," Langat said.
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