Uhuru, Ruto lay strategy to get share of Raila votes

President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto have lined up more tours across the country as part of a new strategy which will see them make forays into Cord strongholds and revitalise Jubilee bases ahead of next year’s elections.

Recent discussions on development projects at a Cabinet retreat, a restless nation questioning Jubilee’s performance, and cracks in Cord have triggered the two top leaders to opt for the short stopovers in various counties.

The President has visited at least six counties in the last one month and, unlike previously when they preferred to address crowds in rallies, it appears the strategy now is to have brief stops in as many different locations as possible to launch projects or address roadside meetings.

(READ: Jubilee, Cord step up hunt for votes as 2017 elections beckon)

There is also an increase in the frequency of delegations visiting State House, with more such visits expected in the coming weeks.

In these recent tours, the President and his deputy have been appearing in public together as a strong signal that the bond that held them together in the 2013 election remains strong.

The death of former First Lady Lucy Kibaki, who was buried on Saturday, put temporary brakes to the visits but they are set to resume.

Significantly, a tour of the Ukambani counties of Makueni, Machakos and Kitui has been planned for May 19-21.

This comes after a group of leaders from the region, which is considered a stronghold of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, took a big delegation to State House, Nairobi, last month.

Other counties earmarked for visits in the coming months are Kakamega, Bungoma, Kericho and Bomet. North Eastern counties of Garissa, Wajir and Mandera are also in the pipeline.

Sold as development tours, but with an eye on 2017, the Sunday Nation has learnt that the tours are guided by the resetting of the government agenda during the Cabinet retreat in Naivasha.

There was an audit of proposed and ongoing projects across the country and the non-essential ones were put on hold to ensure focus. 

“There is a big correlation between the county forays and that (Cabinet) retreat, expect much more,” said a source within the government, who spoke in confidence.

He compared the launch of various projects to the time when, as the Finance minister, Mr Kenyatta initiated the economic stimulus in the 2009/2010 budget and later went around the country to check on their progress.

Mr Aden Duale, the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, said the President and his deputy are killing two birds with one stone.

SENDING POLITICAL MESSAGE

“By appearing together, they are sending a political message that they are united and working together — unlike the opposition which is still clueless on who will be their candidate. They are also showing Kenyans that the pact Jubilee made in 2013 is being implemented. You will see more of these visits to all 47 counties up to December,” he said.

But Mr Munyori Buku, State House Director for Public Communication, downplayed the significance of Mr Kenyatta’s visits saying it was part of his job.

“The government has been planning and setting aside funds for the projects. Time has come to go and see what has been happening on the ground. The beauty is that projects are going on and transformation is on,” he said.

It was, however, the incursion into the twin Cord areas of Ukambani and Gusii that have set tongues wagging.

The President hosted Ukambani leaders and their supporters from Machakos, Makueni and Kitui counties.

In 2013, the three counties gave President Uhuru a measly 15 per cent of the vote with over 80 per cent going to Cord presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua said the trip yielded development for the people and it was a pointer of how the Kamba people feel being in Cord.

“Even though the people of Ukambani voted overwhelmingly for Cord, they never felt comfortable with that arrangement and have been slowly edging towards the government of the day,” he said, adding that the Kamba were more interested in development.

But Mr Musyoka, the Wiper leader, said those who went to State House were setting up themselves for ouster in 2017.

“Uhuru is trying to buy support from Ukambani, but this will not work. Elections are coming in 2017 and people who are going to State House have a date with destiny as voters are keenly watching their moves,” he said.

COMMISSIONING PROJECTS

In Kisii and Nyamira counties, where the President and the deputy spent two days commissioning projects and initiating others, Jubilee was also beaten by Cord in 2013.

Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka (ODM), who has been working closely with Jubilee, welcomed the visit.

“The only way small communities like ours can ascend to the highest office is through being part of big national parties. That way we can fight our way up unlike in small regional parties where we will just be sharing bread crumbs; I hope even Cord will forge a strong national party,” he said.

The visit to Gusii came after Kisii leaders led by Deputy Governor Joash Maangi led a 1,500-member delegation to Mr Ruto’s home in January this year.

Also lined up for visits is North Eastern where Jubilee barely managed 50 per cent in Garissa and Wajir counties but carried the day in Mandera with 98 per cent.

“For the first time Garissa County is connected to the national grid. The President and the deputy will also launch the tarmacking of the 180 kilometre Garissa-Wajir road. He will also launch the 80 km stretch between  Mandera and El Wak,” said Mr Duale.

Last month, the President met with leaders from Bungoma County where he announced that the collapsed Pan Paper Mills in Webuye had been sold to a private investor and would be revived.