Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has said he will not apologise to Deputy President William Ruto for ‘dismissing’ his 2022 presidential bid.
Responding to accusations from a section of legislators from Central and Rift Valley regions on Thursday, Kabogo said that DP Ruto is his friend and would not spare him from the truth.
“Ruto and I are friends and as such I am entitled to tell him the truth. The conversation for 2022 presidential elections should begin now,” said the unapologetic Kabogo.
Kabogo further noted that Central region is a big block and may end up splitting it votes should Meru Governor Peter Munya, Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki and DP Ruto all choose to run for the presidency.
Kabogo came under attack on Wednesday after stating that DP Ruto is not guaranteed of Mt Kenya votes just by virtue of being a Deputy President and a member of Jubilee party.
Legislators from Central and Rift Valley regions lashed out at Kabogo over the remarks noting that the utterances did not reflect in any way the situation on the ground.
Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, who are fierce critics of DP Ruto, changed tune and offered their support for the Deputy President saying Kabogo will not determine who becomes President in the 2022 elections.
“It is not Kabogo who will determine whether Kabogo becomes President or not. Ruto should be the President of Kenya in 2022 because he is a great leader,” said Keter.
“We are ready to launch a countrywide campaign for the DP to ensure he clinches the seat.”
Sudi, on his part called on Central region to support Ruto’s as Rift Valley supported Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013 election and have expressed their support ahead of the 2017 polls.
“Kabogo should know that we do not need his support to ensure DP Ruto becomes President. We have the support of central region and the rest of the country, and that is enough,” said Sudi.
Kiambu MPs led by the Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete) and Ngewa Ward MCA Karungu Thang’wa have stated that Kabogo’s sentiments do not represent the people of Kiambu saying his utterances are a personal political position.
The leaders stated that they would stay united in Jubilee and support Ruto in his quest to become Kenya’s fifth President.
“Kabogo has no power to speak on behalf of the people of Mt Kenya. We would like to state that his utterances are nothing but a personal position on the matter,” said Waititu.
Deputy President Ruto has several declared his interest in the 2022 presidential election under the yet-to-be-launched Jubilee Party ticket.
@benjaminwafula
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