Leaders dismiss Kuria on presidency, vow to back DP

Deputy President William Ruto’s engagement in Mt Kenya region on Friday revived the embers of the 2022 succession politics put off a month ago by his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta.

At the burial of Jennifer Njuki, the mother of Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, leaders publicly differed on the direction they should take with some directly withholding support for the DP, some offering it and yet others backing rival tickets.

It was Gatundu North MP Moses Kuria who stirred the hornet nest by pitching for his own candidacy. Governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) and Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu) roundly dismissed him while Kiraitu Murungi (Meru) insisted on a better deal for Meru people wherever it will come from.

Waiguru was the first to hit out at Kuria, saying that he was not an option in 2022 politics. She said they will stand with Ruto as was expected of the region.

“In our language, we say a wise person does not need to be told a lot of things,” she said.

Waititu also disowned Kuria, saying though he was from Kiambu, the MP had no capacity to steer the nation.

“There is no confusion at all with the direction we are heading as a community in Kiambu County. We are just waiting for the time to support Ruto,” he said.

Waititu said he was sure that the Deputy President would triumph in 2022.

“We trust you and we don’t want to be confused by any other issues,” he said.

Kiraitu said the people of Meru will be voting wisely in future after scrutinising all the contestants to know those who had their best interests.

“The one who is benefiting the people of Meru will be the one we will be supporting,” he said.

But the Deputy President steered clear of the debate, only saying Kenyans should support leaders who were development-oriented as opposed to those who were up for their own interests.