Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale believes Deputy President William Ruto will still garner most of Luhya community votes in 2022 without influence of seasoned politicians from the region.
In a past interview with KTN, former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto said DP Ruto may not score well from the Western region if he does not reach out to veteran politicians like Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetangula.
“I have hardly seen him with Mudavadi or Wetang'ula. I only see him with Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka and I am yet to be convinced about his political influence.
"He will need to look for people with capacity in those areas. It is the communities that will coalesce around his bid. I would like him to deal with the political leaders of party’s dominant in those areas,” Ruto said as quoted by the Standard.
But in an interview with KTN on Wednesday, Dr Khalwale insisted that Ruto does not need regional kingpins from Western region to deliver in 2022. He said himself and other upcoming leaders are up to the task.
“People are used to seeing strength in people they already know. But I can tell you that an idea whose time has come does not over-rely on who is driving it. If it boils down to a competition between the dynasties and the hustler nation, the hustler nation will not even need 11 players in their team,” charged Khalwale as quoted by the Standard.
Dr Ruto has been working closely with with Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, Khalwale, former CS Rashid Echesa, Majority Whip Benjamin Washiali among other youthful politicians.
Both Wetangula and Mudavadi have declared interest in succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta. Mr Isaac Ruto is keen to revamp his CCM party ahead of 2022 polls.