Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has been criticised over his remarks that Mt Kenya region voters will not back Deputy President William Ruto in 2022, if he vies for President.
A section of Jubilee lawmakers led by Starehe MP Maina Kamanda have told the governor he has no authority to speak on behalf of the region.
“Since when did Kabogo become the spokesman for the people and leaders of Mt Kenya? As a region, we will support Ruto for presidency when President Kenyatta retires in 2022,” Kamanda said on Wednesday.
Kabogo while speaking at Muiri Coffee Estate in Kiambu on Tuesday told the residents that Mt Kenya voters will not automatically vote for DP Ruto.
Kabogo is said to be eyeing Deputy President seat in 2022, when Ruto is expected to vie for the country’s top seat.
The Governor said: “President Kenyatta will be elected for another five-year term, and there is someone we promised a seat, but we will have to sit down again and discuss it because we will not give it out just like that. No. Let us not be counted like goats because we have votes and they must be respected.”
The Jubilee MPs who hit back at Kabogo included Irungu Kang’ata (Kiharu), Benson Mutura (Makadara) and Kiragu Chege (Limuru).
Kang’ata said, “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.”