Some UDA party adherents in Kitui are seeking recognition from President-elect William Ruto for the role they played in amassing votes to enable him win the presidency.
Led by former Kitui deputy governor Peninah Malonza, the group held a press conference in Kitui town on Wednesday where they thanked the people of Kitui for outshining other counties in Ukambani in voting in support of Ruto.
“We thank the people of Kitui that despite being in a politically impossible area we managed to claim our space and managed 27 per cent votes for Ruto,” Malonza said.
Kitui is the home of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka who is in Azimio-One Kenya camp.
Malonza said Kitui was among the 39 counties in Kenya where Ruto attained the 25 per cent vote threshold to win the presidency.
The group also noted that in the other two Ukambani counties of Machakos and Makueni, Ruto’s support was wanting as he performed dismally with 24 per cent and 20 per cent of votes respectively.
The former DG said it was now time President-elect Ruto embarks on fully implementing both the Kitui and the Ukambani economic charters which he agreed up with the residents during campaigns.
She however added that she was confident the president-elect would implement the said charters to the letter.
Another UDA leader, Consolata Muvea, from Majengo area of Kitui town said UDA followers would hate to see themselves being political orphans. She said they should be rewarded for their contribution in making Ruto the president.
“The women left their homes and husbands behind to go and seek votes (for Ruto) only to go back after the elections. I thank God because he has answered our prayers,” Muvea said.
She said leaders who won election should not be recognised or favoured at the expense of the UDA diehards and ground soldiers who labourer, went hungry, slept outside and walked bear-footed to get votes for Ruto.
“I beseech our president and the UDA party leader to remember the UDA aspirants who lost in the election because they are our children and suffered with us,” she added.
-Edited by SKanyara
