For sometime, it has been clear that Deputy President William Ruto is the leading presidential candidate in Mt Kenya region. ODM leader Raila Odinga has been a distance second.
Opinion polls conducted on the DP's popularity in the region also pointed to this fact.
Several factors inform why most people from the region would mention the DP when a question on popularity is posed. The DP has sustained an a campaign in the region. If you look at Raila, he has not been too frequent in the region.
For ANC's Musalia Mudavadi, he has no history of engaging the people from the area in economic programmes, though they do not really have a problem with him.
Ruto has also been able to build a stable grassroots infrastructure in Mt Kenya. He has made sure that he has reached out to the last man in the last village, which places him ahead of the pack.
Raila Odinga and Musalia Mudavadi over-relied on the handshake. They chose to hold meetings in Nairobi when Ruto was on the ground.
But if Raila would go to Mt Kenya and convince people that he would take care of their economic interests, the ground could change. If he, perhaps, promises things that would favour their economic interests like greehouse projects and poultry farming, they would be willing and very ready to engage him.
The Mt Kenya people also want to keep the promise by President Kenyatta. The President declared at the beginning of their term that he would finish his term and give it to Ruto.
For you to destabilise Ruto in Mt Kenya and remove him from the minds of the people, you must present yourself as the best alternative for the region.
You should also not think that an endorsement from the President is all that is needed. You will have to present a brilliant agenda for the people of Mt Kenya and then let them decide. At the moment, Ruto is the candidate to beat in Mt Kenya.
Edited by Henry Makori
