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Negotiations will determine who Mt Kenya voters will support for the presidency in 2022, Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has said.
In a thinly-veiled statement that may be seen as directed at Deputy President William Ruto, Mr Kabogo said the region would have to deliberate on who to support for the country's top seat come 2022.
Kabogo said the region's support would not be automatic or guaranteed for any individual, adding that the region would not be compelled to support any preferred candidate to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking at Muiri farm in Juja, the county boss said the region had many votes and would have to chart its own political destiny once Uhuru was through with his constitutional two five-year terms.
"Even if we promised someone a seat, we will have to sit down and talk. We will not just give away the seat like that. If you think because we agreed it will go like that... We have the votes and therefore have to be respected," said Kabogo.
The governor said people should stop thinking that just because there was an agreement things would go as agreed.
Kabogo's sentiments contradicted the President who during his tour of central Kenya in April asked voters in his Mt Kenya stronghold to support his deputy in the 2022 presidential election.
Speaking in Kiambu town during the tour, Uhuru was eager to dispel fears that voters in the region would not back his deputy's bid after his second term expires.
In an apparent move to rally the region behind his deputy, Uhuru made it clear that he intended to hand over the leadership baton to Ruto.
"This is my brother who I have worked with for the sake of unity and development for all Kenyans. It is a journey that we started together and will finish together so that Kenyans can live in peace," the President said.
"I have worked with this young man (Ruto) and I can assure you, my people, that he is capable of leading this country and carrying on the Jubilee development agenda."
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungw'a, a fierce Kabogo critic, claimed the governor had little say in deciding who the region would support. Ngewa MCA Karungo wa Thangw'a urged Mt Kenya voters to ignore Kabogo's comments and continue supporting the DP. Imenti South MP Kathuri Murungi said the region would support Ruto.
The Standard Group Plc is a
multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper
print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The
Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key
influence in matters of national and international interest.
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