The 2022 presidential race has already started shaping up. A good number of politicians have declared their interest in the country’s top seat. However, one of the obvious candidates for the presidency during the coming general elections is Deputy President William Ruto.
He has been termed as the most planned and strategist politician in the country. It is always so difficult to predict his moves and when you think you have pinned him down, he emerges even stronger.
After the botched Kabarak handshake which elicited a lot of mixed reactions from Kenyans and politicians, it is evident that DP Ruto has political critics and denouncers just the same way he has supporters and partisans.
Here are two key types of William Ruto’s supporters;
Those from the Rift Valley
The battle for supremacy between DP Ruto and Baringo Senator Gideon Moi in the Rift Valley is on. It is crystal clear that Ruto enjoys the support of the vocal and outspoken politicians in the region. Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, and Uasin Gishu governor Jackson Mandango are some of Ruto’s strong allies. Most of the residents of Rift Valley believe that the DP is their kingpin and they will do anything to make him ascend to power in 2022.
The Mt. Kenya
Ruto supported President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2013 and 2017 general elections and it is no doubt that he played a major role in Uhuru’s victory as well as the performance of the Jubilee government. The DP, therefore, expects the support of Mt Kenya region when his time comes. Vocal Mt. Kenya leaders like Moses Kuria, Kanini Kenga, Governor Waititu and Anne Waiguru are some of the politicians from the region who have vowed to make Ruto succeed Uhuru Kenyatta.
Supporters from these two regions will definitely play a key role for DP Ruto's presidential ambitions in 2022.