Ruto taps 10 independent candidates to consolidate influence in Parliament

William Ruto and his family arrive at the Bomas of Kenya ahead of presidential results declaration on August 15, 2022. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

President-elect William Ruto has tapped at least eight independent candidates who won parliamentary seats in the August 9, 2022 General Election.

The eight met other Kenya Kwanza elected leaders at the outgoing deputy president's residence in Karen, Nairobi on Wednesday, August 17.

Ruto said that the caucus, which he convened to set house rules and chart a way forward, was attended by 163 MPs-elect, 24 senators-elect and at least 22 governors-elect.

"We also have eight independent candidates here with us today and another two, who were not in a position to join us. Out of the 12 independent candidates in the National Assembly, ten are allied to Kenya Kwanza," said Ruto.

The president-elect said they'd already made a decision on who to second to the transition committee ahead of change of administration.

Leaders present at the ceremony include Musalia Mudavadi, Moses Wetangula, Amason Kingi, Alfred Mutua, Justin Muturi, Moses Kuria, Mwangi Kiunjuri and blacklisted former Governor of Nairobi County Mike Sonko.