Deputy President William Ruto is on Wednesday set to storm President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Kiambu backyard as he intensifies his presidential campaign.
Ruto's visit comes less than a week after Uhuru told residents of Ruiru that they should elect leaders who will safeguard his legacy and that of his predecessor Mwai Kibaki.
In what was seen as referring to Ruto, the President cautioned his backyard against electing thugs propagating divisive and empty political rhetoric.
He was addressing a roadside rally after presiding over a graduation at Prison Training College.
Ruto is expected to address a series of rallies in Gatanga constituency (Murang'a) and in Juja, Ruiru, Githunguri and Kiambu town.
Speaking to the Star on Tuesday, Juja MP George Koimburi said the DP will be in his constituency for a homecoming event in Theta, near AIPCA church.
Koimburi said DP Ruto will be accompanied by some 50 politicians, who have expressed interest in various political seats in the two counties but drawn from different political parties.
“The DP Ruto will be in Kiambu tomorrow morning for my homecoming event and he will use the opportunity to educate his supporters about the bottom-up economic model that will elevate them after 2022,” Koimburi said.
The MP added that the DP will first have a meeting at 8am in Gatanga, where he will be hosted by parliamentary aspirant Edward Muriu.
He said while the recuperating Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria won’t attend, he will be represented.
Muriu told the Star that Ruto will launch Pesa Mfukoni bursary fund worth Sh5 million during the visit.
The bursary fund will cater for the school fees for needy students.
“The DP will be in Gatunyu grounds for the launch of bursary fund and thereafter will have a road trip in Kiambu,” he said.
After the launch, Ruto's campaign trail will snake through Witeithie stage, Theta, Juda, Ndarasha, Juja town and then proceed to Ruiru, Posta ground.
The DP will later head to Kwa Maiko in Githunguri and Kiambu town.
Juja parliamentary aspirant on the UDA ticket Karanja Ngaracu said the DP's visit in the larger Mt Kenya region is a demonstration he has been accepted by the people.
Ngaracu said the DP and his team is seeking to ensure the region understands his manifesto and what he will deliver come 2022.
On Uhuru's remarks, Ngaracu said, “We can’t assume that President Kenyatta was referring to his able deputy when he warned them not to protect thieves. It's only him who can clarify".
Ruto's perceived opponent in the 2022 presidential contest, ODM leader Raila Odinga, visit Kiambu three weeks ago.
Raila was accompanied by Kiambu Governor James Nyoro, Gatundu North MP Wanjiku Kibe, Maina Kamanda (Nominated), Dennis Waweru (former Dagoretti South MP), Kanini Kega (Kieni MP), Rachael Shebesh (Gender CAS) and Nyeri Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu.
Edited by EKibii
