Sonko Claims Mt Kenya Leaders Meeting at Night to Scuttle Ruto's 2022 Presidential Bid

There is a scheme by a section of Mt Kenya politicians to sabotage Deputy President William Ruto's bid to succeed President Kenyatta in 2022, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko now claims.

Speaking when he accompanied the Deputy President to a service at Presbyterian Church of East Africa in Runda, Nairobi on Sunday, the Governor alleged that some leaders from the region have been holding night meetings to plan how they will scuttle Ruto's 2022 presidential bid.

“We are aware that some politicians from Mount Kenya have been holding night meetings in Nairobi to craft plans on how to support one of their own in 2022,” he said without mentioning any names.

Governor Sonko urged Mt Kenya residents not to support the selfish politicians, and instead rally behind Ruto.

“During Jubilee nominations last year, several politicians from Mount Kenya also abandoned me and rallied behind their own Peter Kenneth, but I thank those who ignored them and voted for me overwhelmingly,” said Governor Sonko.

“Ever since the two [Uhuru and Ruto]struck a political pact in 2013, the Deputy President has been a priceless asset in President Kenyatta’s political corner thanks to his unmatched mobilisation skills. I am sure the president will back Mr Ruto come 2022,” he said.

However, Mt Kenya leaders present at the church service downplayed Sonko's claims, assuring that the region is solidly behind Ruto.

“Mt Kenya is solidly behind William Ruto. Any busybody will be in for a rude shock as the people rally behind the leadership they believe in and that is Ruto,” Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwa said.

His Gatundu South counterpart Moses Kuria said: “It is everybody’s right to vie if qualified. However, the people of Mt Kenya are very focused and ever so enlightened.

"They will make decisions not based on their leaders but on their own judgment. No single leader in Kenya today can influence their 2022 decision,” Kuria said.