Deputy President William Ruto Declares Himself Mt Kenya Region’s Kingpin

Deputy President William Ruto has declared himself the political kingpin of the Mt Kenya region.

Ruto, who spoke at a public rally in Nyahururu, Laikipia County on Saturday, stated that any other leader looking for votes in the region must talk to him.

The deputy president downplayed ODM leader Raila Odinga’s recent visits to Mt Kenya, terming him as an outsider in the region.

“Kuna watu wamejua leo ati kuna mlima na sasa wameanza kutafta Google map ati ili waanze kupanda mlima, ningetaka kuwaambia kuwa mimi ndiye mwenye mlima,” said Ruto.

He added: “I am welcoming them to the mountain but as they come, let them know that mlima ina wenyeji. When they were away, I made several tours to the region, we built roads and initiated other development projects.”

His allies led by MPs Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira) and Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) echoed his sentiments, saying that Ruto is the region’s political supremo. 

“The tycoons are meeting in Nairobi to auction us. Let them stay with their money and wealth. Ruto owns the votes in the Mt Kenya region so let them continue with their meetings and bring the report to Ruto who has the people and they will make a decision,” said Gachagua.

Ruto further accused Raila of being behind the fallout in the ruling Jubilee party, adding that he stood firmly with President Kenyatta when they were facing charges at the ICC.

“They orchestrated the downfall of Jubilee so that we can go back to tribal parties but we are not going back there, we are the ones who had come up with Jubilee and we have come with our new political vehicle. We are now in UDA, our new political party,” said Ruto.

"When Uhuru needed a friend to stand with him during the ICC cases, I was there for him. The same people who abandoned him then are now his friends.”