Deputy President William Ruto is my friend, and I must tell him the truth about Mt Kenya region support in 2022, Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has said.

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Kabogo came under attack by a section of Jubilee and URP leaders on Wednesday after stating that Ruto was not guaranteed of Mt Kenya votes just by virtue of being a member of Jubilee coalition.

“Ruto and I are friends and as such I am entitled to tell him the truth. The conversation for 2022 presidential elections should begin now,” the unapologetic governor told Citizen.

Kabogo said the Central region is a big block and may end up splitting votes in case Meru Governor Peter Munya, Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki and Ruto vie for President in 2022.

MPs who criticised Kabogo’s sensational remarks were; Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete), Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills), Maina Kamanda (Starehe), Irungu Kang’ata (Kiharu), Benson Mutura (Makadara) and Kiragu Chege (Limuru).

Ngewa Ward MCA Karungu Thang’wa also hit out at the Jubilee governor.

Waititu said, “Kabogo has no power to speak on behalf of the people of Mt Kenya. We would like to state that his utterances are nothing but a personal position on the matter.”

“We take Ruto as our own because, unlike other candidates who have waited for endorsement by the region’s kingpins, Ruto has visited Mt Kenya several times and is close to the people,” Kang’ata said.

Kabogo is reportedly eyeing Deputy President seat in 2022 polls.