Deputy President William Ruto is expected back in the Western region on Wednesday as he takes the Tanga-tanga gospel to the Luhya Nation when he will lead a fundraising function of more than 30 churches in Kimilili constituency.
Announcing his visit to the region on Tweeter, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa said the DP will be in the region from 10AM for a number of activities,
“The Deputy President, H.E William Samoei Ruto, Ph.D. will be in Kimilili for a number of activities from 10 Am to 3 Pm. The Climax of his visit will be Interdenominational service and fundraiser for 30 Churches at Amtalla Stadium on 15.9.19” Reads a tweet on Barasa’s official Twitter handle.
The Deputy President,H.E William Samoei Ruto,PHD will be in Kimilili for a number of activities from 10Am to 3Pm. The Climax of his visit will be Interdenominatiinal service and fundraiser for 30 Churches at Amtalla Stadium on 15.9.19.@WilliamsRuto @Ken_Lusaka @BungomaCountyKe
— Didmus Barasa – OGW (@DidmusWaBarasa) June 4, 2019
Ruto has made numerous trips to the vote-rich Western Region in a bid to drum up support for of his 2022 Presidential Election campaigns. His trips have yielded fruits as he continues to pocket some of the influential Luhya leaders to his pockets.
The region which was traditionally considered an opposition stronghold is slowly shifting ground with a large number of its legislatures already dancing to Ruto’s Tanga-tanga tune.
Despite calls to end his daily church contributions, Ruto has stayed put and continue to donate huge amounts of cash during church Harambees and fundraisings in the process telling off those against castigating him while busy investing in his ‘heavenly’ home.
Privillaged to be part of a successful Ksh 2.3 m Harambee for Lugari self help group. Thank u Dr @WilliamsRuto for ua generous contribution. Not to mention @DidmusWaBarasa, Hon Washiali, Hon Mwambu a host of MCAs en other leaders who too joined us. pic.twitter.com/wvoGLIXQfb
— Dr Boni Khalwale, CBS (@KBonimtetezi) June 2, 2019
Ruto’s current success in the Western region has left ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi who has also announced his 2022 presidential ambitions a worried man.
Mudavadi recently hit out at Western leaders for being cheap and running after political handouts, as opposed to taking a solid stance and consolidating themselves into a single political unit to give the region a bargaining chip in 2022.
The former Vice President was referring to former Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale who recently jumped ship from Ford Kenya to William Ruto’s Jubilee party.
He warned Luhya leaders against being second options to political giants who are out to use them. There have been calls for the ANC party to join hands with Ruto ahead of 2022 general elections in order to form a formidable team but the former vice president is still reluctant to take heed to the calls maintaining that he will be on the ballot in 2022.
With @KBonimtetezi,Hon. Benjamin Wasiali and other leaders at Lugari Boys High school grounds for the funds drive to empower women of Lugari in their different groups.
Women play a big role in the stability of a society and they should be empowered in all capacities|@WilliamsRuto pic.twitter.com/v5HqY1RSjN— Didmus Barasa – OGW (@DidmusWaBarasa) June 2, 2019
DP Ruto has also reminder Mudavadi that he was once a vice president though for a short time and that he never utilized the opportunity well to the expectations of many Kenyans. Ruto was rebuking Mudavadi who had also castigated Ruto for failing in his position as the deputy president.
In Kenya’s political history, the western region has always strengthened its political ties with people from the lake region, which even led to the birth of political parties like NASA.
Now, there’s disunity from the region even as 2022 general elections near. Boni Khalwale maintains that the Luhya leaders need to form an alliance with Ruto so that they can get political positions to come 2022 if the deputy president William Ruto wins.
Among those leaders from Western Kenya who have thrown their weight behind the Deputy President include; Justus Murunga (Matungu), Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), Didmus Barasa (Kimilili) and Sirisia legislator John Waluke. Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Benard Shinali (Ikolomani), Charles Gimose (Hamisi) and Nominate Senator Naomi Shinyonga
Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka is also one of Ruto’s pointmen in the region.