• Ruto tailored his speech to sound friendly to President Uhuru.
• A similar strategy was replicated among his allies who addressed a series of rallies in the county.
Deputy President William Ruto's tour of the Kiambu county was characterised by a massive onslaught against the ODM leader Raila Odinga. https://bit.ly/3GZJ5pY
Image: DPPS
Deputy President William Ruto's tour of the Kiambu county was characterised by a massive onslaught against the ODM leader Raila Odinga.
While the DP and his brigade have been firing salvos at President Uhuru Kenyatta in their previous rallies, out of the Mt Kenya region, that was not the case in his Mt Kenya tour.
The Kiambu tour on Friday saw the Kenya Kwanza Alliance make a u-turn on their signature messaging that has been hitting hard on both Uhuru and Raila.
Ruto tailored his speech to sound friendly to President Uhuru, who he has disparaged in previous rallies, but savagely attacked Raila.
"I have seen the newspaper people saying that we have a contest with Uhuru, I want to tell them to stop fueling wrong information. The only contest we have is between us and bwana Kitendawili," he said.
A similar strategy was replicated among his allies who addressed a series of rallies in the county.
The leaders used their speaking time to highlight how the DP backed Uhuru ensuring that he wins the Presidency.
"Uhuru is my friend and I even talked to him today before coming here. I have stood with him for the last eight years defending him. We respect him, but supporting Raila is what we have refused," Garissa Township MP Aden Duale said.
A few weeks ago while in a campaign trail, the DP openly said the August 9 poll was a duel between them and forces behind Raila.
He ostensibly suggested that the forces were led by President Uhuru.
He dared the forces to stop playing in the shadows of the ODM leader and match forward for a contest with them.
"Tokeni Nyuma ya Kitendwawili na mkuje mshindane na sisi. You should stop hiding behind your puppet and come face us," he said on February 10, while in Kisii.
In Kiambu on Friday, Ruto rekindled how the ODM leader was an impediment in their bid for the top seat saying he does not deserve to be backed by Uhuru for the presidency.
"Wakati Uhuru alikua anatafuta mwanaume was kusimama an eye 2013, bwana Kitendawili alikua hapo? Na 2017 wakati tulikua tunatafuta serikali an Uhuru mulimwona? Kitendawili atoke nyuma ya Raila, tunamjua," Ruto posed.
Loosely translates to: "When Uhuru was looking for a man to partner with, in 2013, was Raila available for him? What about 2017 when Uhuru was seeking re-election? Let Raila stop hiding behind Uhuru and come forward and face us"
The DP has been labelling the ODM leader as a puppet who has been fronted by President Uhuru to advance his interest and that of others who are keen on his candidature.