- In Nyaribari Chache Ruto scooped the highest number of votes across Kisii with 21,366 votes against Raila's 32,216.
- “We were swimming against all odds. The state machinery was against us but because of our agenda, we were able to win,” Nyamoko said.
Image: HANDOUT
Kisii politicians allied to President-elect William Ruto are jubilant after delivering significant support that saw victory on their first stab at State House.
Ruto is said to have called and thanked his regional campaign leaders who put their best feet forward to market him at the grassroots.
Most of them dived against the strong Azimio La Umoja wave to hand Ruto crucial votes that pushed him through the 50%+1 threshold against his opponent Raila Odinga.
It is hoped that the region will scoop key state appointments including Cabinet Secretaries as an appreciation from Ruto when he is sworn in as the country's fifth president.
Some of the key Kenya Kwanza leaders from Kisii at the centre of Ruto's campaign include Okeng'o Nyambane, Ruto's presidential campaign secretary for Nyanza region and his main contact person.
Others are outgoing Kisii deputy governor Joash Maangi, who failed in his senatorial bid, and Ezekiel Machogu who flew the UDA gubernatorial ticket but also failed.
In Nyamira Ruto's team include gubernatorial loser Walter Nyambati and outgoing Kitutu Masaba MP Shadrack Mose.
There are indications that Ruto's allies who failed to secure political seats could be considered for senior government appointments to reward their loyalty.
On Tuesday, Nyambane lauded Ruto's victory and termed the win a major political milestone in the country, which has vindicated Kenyans of the “deep state and the so called system talk.”
“It was not about some powers elsewhere, it was about the power of the vote . I thank the people of Kisii, Nyamira and Nyanza by extension for a job well done,” he said.
Nyambane was among the leaders who were prevailed upon by Ruto to forego their political ambitions in favour of their rivals, to avoid sibling rivalry.
Nyambane who was tipped by Ruto for a Cabinet slot during campaigns, stepped down in favour of Maangi, who lost to ODM's Richard Onyonka.
Nyambati also thanked the people of Nyamira for voting for the president-elect.
“This is despite my unfair loss, which I will appeal. I walk with my head held high,” he said.
During the August 9 General Election, Ruto's allies won four parliamentary seats in Kisii county alone.
The MPs elected on the UDA ticket include Apha Miruka (Momachoge Chache), Sylvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Zaheer Jhanda (Nyaribari Chache) and Japhet Nyakundi (Kitutu Chache North).
In Bomachoge Chache, Ruto garnered 9,254 votes against Raila's 23,390 while in Kitutu Chache North he had 15,594 votes against Raila's 18,649.
In Nyaribari Chache, Ruto scooped the highest number of votes across Kisii with 21,366 votes against Raila's 32,216.
In South Mugirango constituency, Ruto garnered 21,287 votes against Raila's 30, 499 while in North Mugirango in Nyamira county Ruto had 18,965 votes against Raila's 23,434.
Joash Nyamoko was also reelected as North Mugirango MP on a UDA ticket.
“We were swimming against all odds. The state machinery was all against us but because of our agenda, we were able to win,” he said.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)