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Details have emerged of a new dilemma facing Deputy President William Ruto in the wake of Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi’s scathing remarks in which he dared President Uhuru Kenyatta to resign and accused Deputy President William Ruto of lying to his supporters on his relationship with the President.
Sudi is belived to have expressed the opinion held by several politicians in the DP's camp with pressure mounting on DP Ruto to confirm the assertions made by Sudi and walk out of the rocky Jubilee union or deny the allegations and mend the broken bond with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Reports indicate that in the wake of the scathing remarks, several politicians from the Mount Kenya region who were initially poised to be Ruto’s running mates are reconsidering their working relationships with the DP and many have since developed cold feet.
Well-placed sources further revealed that in the coming days, politicians from the region are expected to come out and make bold declarations on where their loyalty lies, something that is expected to shape 2022 politics.
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Among them is Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru who was seen as DP Ruto’s favourite but was reportedly dropped after she failed to join the Tanga Tanga squad owing to her closeness with the President.
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Nation reports that DP Ruto and his handlers had identified Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu), Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a), Kiraitu Murungi (Meru) and Tharaka Nithi senator Kindiki Kithure as possible running mates.
All of the above names have since been dropped with Dr. Ruto’s handlers casting their nets wider.
Waititu has since lost favour and following owing to the numerous corruption allegations lined to him and the DP’s handlers are keen to avoid the tag of collaborating with suspects of corruption.
Casting nets wider and charming Kabogo
Kithure and Wa Iria have little to bring to the negotiation table as they do not have the desired political clout and support that the DP needs to propel him to victory.
It is said that the team is courting former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo who is still a force to reckon with and capable of mobilizing votes and rallying the region behind the DP in the region.
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Dr Ruto is said to have narrowed down the search for a running mate to Mt Kenya, as the region together with Rift Valley are believed to be Jubilee’s bedrock, which together with support from a swing vote from other parts of the country where the party enjoys little backing could decide the 2022 race.
Kiunjuri and Murungi were reportedly dropped as they have political ambitions of their own that could make it difficult to work with the DP.
Kiunjuri is understood to be keen on contesting for the Presidency while Murungi could be keen on defending his Meru gubernatorial seat.