President Uhuru Kenyatta at a past rally. He endorsed Deputy President William Ruto for president in 2022. [Photo: PSCU]
President Uhuru Kenyatta has yet again waded into 2022 politics, this time naming his preferred successor.
Speaking in Bomet County on Thursday, President Kenyatta said his resolve to support his deputy, William Ruto, to succeed him was a done deal.
“I want to you to support me so that I finish this term and come 2022, we will all join hands in ensuring William Ruto becomes the next president,” Uhuru said to the applause of the crowd.
The President stirred the excited crowd further when he said he only recognises one Ruto and asked them who it was.
The huge crowd at Bomet town, in unison, roared back: “William Ruto!”.
Uhuru also spoke highly of his deputy saying their close relationship was the main factor Jubilee administration has achieved so much within a short period.
“Our oneness with Ruto is uncommon and it has made us bring all Kenyans together regardless of their ethnic backgrounds," the President said.
He noted that despite frequent attacks on both of them by the opposition, they have remained united which has enabled them to deliver to Kenyans.
The President’s public support for Ruto in 2022 comes at a time when onslaughts against the DP by some Mt Kenya politicians led by Governors William Kabogo (Kiambu) and Peter Munya (Meru), have been increasing.
Uhuru's declaration was an apparent reassurance for some communities in the vote-rich Rift Valley region where NASA had been seeking to cast doubt on whether the Mt Kenya community region would back Ruto in his 2022 presidential bid.
On Wednesday, during a NASA rally in Kericho town, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, said Ruto was riding on high hopes thinking Mt Kenya region will endorse him.