- A coalition deal between CCK and Kenya Kwanza will boost the fortunes of the Deputy President in Mt Kenya region.
- Opinion polls have put Ruto ahead of Raila in Mt Kenya, a region boasting of over 5.9 million votes.
Image: EUTYCAS MUCHIRI
Deputy President William Ruto has tightened his grip of Mt Kenya after Chama Cha Kazi boss Moses Kuria announced he is in talks with Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
The Gatundu South MP revealed that CCK alongside 21 other political parties were working on a deal with Ruto.
However, he didn't name the political parties.
An agreement between CCK, Kenya Kwanza and the said parties could boost the fortunes of the DP in Mt Kenya region.
However, former Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri swiftly announced that The Service Party that he leads will not enter into any pre-elections coalitions.
He said he is convinced that his party does not have to be in Azimio La Umoja or Kenya Kwanza alliances to succeed.
Kiunjuri and Narc Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua are close allies of Kuria.
Karua is a member of the One Kenya Alliance that is working on a deal with Azimo La Umoja.
Opinion polls have put Ruto ahead of his main challenger ODM leader Raila Odinga in Mt Kenya and the Kuria move could be a major boost for the DP.
The latest opinion poll released by pollster TIFA on February 17, ranked Ruto as the most preferred presidential candidate in Mt Kenya region at 49 per cent against Raila’s 20.
Kuria stated that the grand coalition will deliver the nation to peace and prosperity.
In a message posted on his social media pages, Kuria said more details concerning the coalition will follow later.
“This is to inform Kenyans that CCK and 21 other political parties are in early talks with the Kenya Kwanza that will lead to very broad-based grand coalition,” Kuria said.
Kenya Kwanza brings together Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance, Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congressand Ford-Kenya led by Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula.
Kuria has been unpredictable in his 2022 plans, but he recently declared that the Azimio camp is not an option for him.
Speaking during the burial of the mother to the former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu on Tuesday, Kuria assured that he will be on the winning side.
He recently met with Oka principals and claimed they had agreed to work together on condition that they don’t join Azimio.
The lawmaker had been ailing and upon returning to the country after seeking treatment abroad, he held a thanksgiving service rally at Thika Stadium.
The event was attended by Karua, Kiunjuri, Kiambu Governor James Nyoro and a host of other leaders.
During a recent interview with the Star, Kiunjuri said registration of political parties shows the growth of democracy.
He said Kenyans should be left to support the party and candidates of their choice without being intimidated.
Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has also been urging residents of Mt Kenya to exercise their democratic rights by electing leaders based on merit and potential.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission lastest data revealed that Mt Kenya currently has 5.9 million voters, having recorded 224,499 new voters in the recently concluded voter listing.
Of these, Mt Kenya West accounts for 4.6 million voters, while Mt Kenya East has 1.3 million, putting the region at an advantage over the rest.
During the 2017 elections, the region had a total of 5.3 million votes.
The vote bloc comprises of Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Laikipia, Meru and Tharaka Nithi, as well as Nakuru counties.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)