Nyali MP Mohammed Ali has made it clear that he is in support of Deputy President William Ruto’s candidature in 2022 for the presidency.
The former investigative journalist maintained that Ruto is his choice even if he runs against opposition Chief Raila Odinga.
Ali noted that though he respects Raila, he is surrounded by cartels and this is reason enough for him not to support him should he decide to go at it again in 2022.
“I will support @WilliamsRuto in 2022 even if he runs against my friend @RailaOdinga. Raila is a father to me, a good man but surrounded by cartels,” he said during an interview with Hot 96 FM on Wednesday.
He first declared his support for Ruto in May this year, a move that did not please some of his followers. They lashed out at him.
However, his resolve to support the DP seems resolute. Lately, he has been seen in the DP's entourage to various regions in the country.
Ali's resentment for ODM stems from last year’s party primaries where he claimed he was rigged out in favour of his competitor Said Abdallah.
Abdallah alias Saido, is Mombasa Governor, Hassan Joho’s cousin. Joho doubles up as the ODM Deputy Party leader.
In the runup to August 8, 2017 polls, the veteran journalist vied for the Nyali parliamentary seat as an independent candidate and went ahead to win.
Abdallah challenged his victory at the High Court in Mombasa but it was dismissed. He appealed the ruling at the Court of Appeal and it was also struck out.