Ruto returns to Nyamira County

Deputy President William Ruto has landed in Nyamira County where he is expected to preside over series of fundraisers.

Ruto, who is at the Sironga stadium, said police should not be blamed for chaos but rather those who issue the orders. 

"Last week's events were unnecessary but because of pride, some people disrupted us," he said referring  to the clash between police and residents hours before his arrival.

Police teargassed crowds that had formed with the mob chanting in support of the DP. Some braved the tear gas as others left the venue.

According to his allies in the region, Ruto will today  raise funds for various churches at Miriri in Kitutu Masaba Constituency and boda boda riders at Sironga in West Mugirango Constituency, Nyamira County.

The Standard Digital has established that the DP is accompanied by are Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga, Kisii Deputy Governor Jooash Maangi, and MPs Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Shadrack Mose (Kitutu Masaba), Joash Nyamoko (North Mugirango), Vincent Kemosi (West Mugirango) and Sylvanus Osoro (South Mugirango).

The leaders condemned what they called tribal politics and the recent political violence witnessed in Murang'a County that led to the death of two people moments before the arrival of DP Ruto a fundraiser.

“Our fellow leaders, backward tribal politics should be shunned and no one should profile Kenyans,” Ruto said.

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua advised church elders to call upon CS Fred Matiang'i and initiate talks over "the Muranga church atrocities."

"We are against tribal politics and all we want is politics of empowerment of the most vulnerable in the country's economy," he said..

MP Ndindi Nyoro: "The Government is applying double standards in the recent laws on public order. We are perturbed that the same Government is angry when politicians like us who mean well for the people come together to do fundraisers."

Ruto is also expected to tour Kisii County tomorrow (Friday) for similar activities.

The fundraisers were also postponed last week amid chaos as police engaged residents in running battles.

The DP termed the police action as unnecessary.

Last week Ruto said: "After consultations with MPs Kemosi, Mose, Nyamoko, the bodaboda sacco and church leadership who had invited us, we have postponed the two functions in Nyamira County to Thursday next week."

Kitutu Masaba MP criticized the move saying the funds drive would have helped the youth in the county.

MP Kemosi said: “Political rallies were stopped, but you cannot stop a president’s meeting and you cannot stop deputy president’s meeting.”

This was set to be the second time in as many weeks that the DP would visit the region as he popularises his 2022 presidential bid.

Everything had been set, with Ruto’s ground troops mobilising residents to attend the function at Nyangoge Primary School grounds.

[Additional Reporting by Mercy Asamba and Betty Njeru.]