A Nyamira Member of County Assembly believes Deputy President William Ruto can win the presidency if he joins presidential race in 2017.
Ruto played an instrumental role in Jubilee’s victory in 2013 and has never shown signs of falling out with President Uhuru Kenyatta, and Gesima MCA Ken Atuti believes Ruto has come of age to test his ability in the top seat and insisted that he was sure of a major victory.
“I want to challenge our DP to join presidential race. He has been in politics for a long time and if he calculates well, certainly he can win in a race where Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta are candidates,” he said.
“He has a huge following in Rift Valley and I know he can get a few votes from marginalized communities because he has a huge following there. I am sure that he can win if he joins the race,” he added.
Atuti said it would be cumbersome for the DP to be guaranteed of Uhuru’s support in 2022 arguing that the pattern of voting for central Kenya has never challenged for a long time.
“I don’t think in 2022 he can get the anticipated support from central Kenya. The voting pattern in that region has always favored one of their own. I hope Ruto will remember the history and fight on his own because I believe he can make it,” he added.
Atuti was speaking on Thursday during a fund raiser and his Gesima backyard and is the only elected URP member from entire Gusii region.