Former Cherangany Member of Parliament Kipruto Arap Kirwa has doubted Deputy President William Ruto’s ability to rise to the presidency in the approaching 2022 general elections.
Speaking on Radio Maisha Monday morning, the opposition’s Amani National Congress (ANC) Deputy Party Leader noted that the DP does not have the numbers and does not, therefore, qualify for the seat.
Citing the Kenyan tribal political formation and the ruling Jubilee Party setup, Kirwa claimed that Ruto is only assured of two communities’ backing, which will not hand him the required 50 percent plus one vote threshold.
‘’Nashuku sana kama ataweza maana kulingana na siasa zetu za kikabila, itabidi apate kura ya jamii tatu kubwa ambayo kwa sasa ni ngumu (he will have to attract a minimum of three major communities which is quite impossible now),’’ he said.
He cautioned the DP against banking on his many tours and weekend fundraisers for a win in the race, noting that though he has managed to lock his Rift Valley backyard, he remains weak nationaly.
He added that the same has always been the case since 2013, reiterating the opposition’s National Super Alliance (NASA) claim that Ruto and his boss Uhuru Kenyatta might have rigged their way to power.
‘’Sisi tunajua huwezi pata unongozi kupitia kabila chache na tunawashuku sana hawa tangu 2013 na ndio maana tukawapeleka kortini mwaka jana (we have always known that its impossible to ride on the vote of a few ethnic groups to get to power, hence out presidential petition last year),’’ he added.
This comes at a time when the DP’s allies have embarked on endorsing him in a bid to smoothen his pending attempt to succeed Kenyatta.