Former Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale is optimistic residents of Western Kenya will vote for Deputy President William Ruto in the 2022 general election.
Khalwale said he has been rallying Luhyas to back the DP and was thankful they have accepted his calls and were ready to be in the next government which will be formed by Ruto.
He made the remarks on Friday evening moments after accompanying the DP during an official opening of Wanga Technical and Vocational College in Mumias East, Kakamega County.
"William Ruto in Luhyialand (Mumias) today on the occasion of official opening of the Wanga TTI. We thank the Deputy President. And I thank our people for heeding my call to navigate our way into government through our neighbour," Khalwale said in a tweet.
The former Senator has been campaigning for Ruto in Western Kenya, a region which voted overwhelmingly for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the last polls.
He has been facing opposition from ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford-Kenya counterpart Moses Wetang'ula who hail from the populous region and are also eyeing the presidency.
On his part, the DP, who avoided politics, said the State was committed to reviving Mumias Sugar Company which was recently put under receivership.
“There have hiccups in the revival of the factory; that is why we have opted to come up with a better strategy to rejuvenate Mumias Sugar,” Ruto said as quoted by Capital FM.
“We would find a lasting solution for the benefit of the farmers and the country. But we must also think of diversifying our agriculture to mitigate against any possible losses,” he added.
Ruto was accompanied by various area MPs among them; Ben Washiali (Mumias East), Malala Injendi (Malava), Enock Kibunguchi (Likuyani), and John Waluke (Sirisia).