The just concluded Wajir West Parliamentary by-election has once again confirmed that Deputy President William Ruto is a political genius who knows how to play his political cards well.
In as much as the ruling Jubilee Party has been credited for bagging the vital win through it’s candidate Ahmed Kolosh, the important role played by DP William Ruto should also not be downplayed.
Kolosh, a former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) member got 11,053 votes as his closest rival Sheikh Ibrahim (KANU) came a distant second with 6,532 votes.
It will be remembered that Kolosh shifted his allegiance from ODM to Jubilee and that it was infact Ruto who welcomed him to the ruling Party at the Party’s headquarters.
Ruto assured Kolosh of a win and promised to accord him all the necessary support.
“As we welcome you to our party, we want to assure you that we will campaign for you to win,” Dr Ruto said at the time.
ODM had a candidate who was seen by many as a potential threat to Mr. Kolosh’s bid to retain his seat. Mr. Kolosh would however have the last laugh after ODM’s candidate, Prof. Mohamed Yussuf pulled out at the last minute after what they termed as ‘consultations’ with the Jubilee party leaders.
Prof. Yusuf was already cleared by IEBC only for him to later leave an egg on ODM’s face.
ODM Claimed that it convinced Prof. Yusuf to step down in the spirit of the handshake only for the Professor to refute ODM’s claims.
Yusuf denied the claims from his party and was backed by a section of leaders from Wajir’s Degodia community.
Elders from the community insisted that they reached out to DP Ruto on their own.
“The decision had nothing to do with the ODM party or any of its functionaries, as some would allege….We, as leaders from the region do not condone deceit and/or conmanship.
“The efforts of the community cannot be taken for granted or rubbished by those who do not know the hours, energy and resources put in this,” the statement from the political and business leaders said.
On his part, Prof. Yusuf echoed the sentiments of this community leaders deciding to announce that he had defected to the Jubilee party.
Interestingly, he made the announcement after a meeting at the DP’s Karen on April 9, 2019.
Ruto also had two other candidates, Ali Noor Abdi (Labour Party of Kenya) and Abass Nonow Shihaw (Agano Party) step down and support the Jubilee flag bearer.
Well, it is clearly evident that Ruto once again played his cards well to have Jubilee emerge with a win in Wajir West.
After the Results were out, Ruto took time to congratulate Mr. Kolosh on his win.
“Congratulations to Jubilee’s Mohamed Ahmed Kolosh for recapturing the Wajir West Constituency seat. The victory is testament to the confidence your constituents have on your ability and our party. Godspeed as you embark on service delivery and quality representation,” Said Ruto.