Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has said that the county will not support Deputy President William Ruto in the 2022 presidential election over the apparent unfair allocation of cabinet positions.
Speaking during an event in the county on Tuesday, Governor Njuki faulted President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto for sidelining the county in the recent Cabinet appointments.
He said the president named three more principal secretaries on Monday but failed to reward the county with any of the slots despite having overwhelmingly voted for the Jubilee duo.
The county boss said if the Head of State fails to allocate them positions by the end of the cabinet formation process, they would support a candidate other than Ruto in the 2022 presidential election.
“I am my people’s spokesman. If they continue sidelining us in Cabinet appointments they should not come here seeking for votes in 2022. We are not issuing threats but simply speaking the truth,” said Njuki.
He dismissed other Jubilee leaders who have vowed to stand behind Ruto in 2022, terming their remarks as their personal opinion.
“If my fellow Jubilee leaders feel comfortable in the party that is their personal opinion. As for Tharaka Nithi, we worked so hard delivering 72 percent of the total votes to President Uhuru in the 2017 polls,” said the Governor.
Njuki said it is a shame that the county is viewed as a small devolved unit during cabinet appointments yet Jubilee leaders camped in the area during the electioneering period.
“We have qualified individuals who can take up these PS positions. You cannot tell us we lack people who are qualified to serve in the Cabinet,” he added.
The outspoken Governor further said that he will not be intimidated by the government, adding that he will continue fighting for his people’s rights.