DP defends Kabogo over remarks on 2022 ticket

Deputy President (DP) William Ruto and Kiambu Governor William Kabogo moved to reassure Jubilee and United Republican Party (URP) supporters on Saturday on the DP’s 2022 presidential bid following a storm over remarks made by the latter last week.

Mr Kabogo joined the DP at Mau Secondary School in Kuresoi North in Nakuru where he said he meant no malice in his remarks.

He said Mr Ruto was assured of presidency in 2022.

“2022, hustler will be number one. If you have any doubt, please remove it from your mind,” the Kiambu governor stated.

Mr Kabogo was quoted as having said Mr Ruto would not get automatic support from the Mount Kenya region to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022, sparking angry reactions from Mr Ruto's supporters, some who have said the statement should not be taken lightly.

He was quoted by a local daily as having said: “Even if we promised someone a seat, we will have to sit down and talk. We will not just give away the seat like that. If you think because we agreed it will go like that, we have the votes and therefore have to be respected”.

Mr Ruto defended the Kiambu governor on his remarks, saying it was true he had to fight for the 2022 Jubilee presidential ticket despite an arrangement between the United Republican Party and Jubilee.

“I am surprised that Kabogo is being reprimanded. What is it that he said that was wrong?” he said.

“He only meant that I must walk in all corners of the country and look for those votes, there is nothing wrong with that,” Mr Ruto said, adding that there no love lost being him and the Kiambu governor described by Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter as one of Mr Ruto’s closest friends.

“There is much more that unites us than divides,” said the DP.

Mr Keter, who was among leaders who attended the title deed issuance event at Mau Secondary School, said there should be no doubts between the union between Mr Kabogo and Mr Ruto as he was one of the DP’s closest friends.

“He can even be counted among the DP’s top 10 friends,” he said.

Mr Kabogo, who arrived in a private helicopter, said Mr Ruto was among a group of about seven people who held talks in 2012 to discuss the Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities and in which Mr Ruto ceded ground and agreed to support Mr Kenyatta. The Kiambu governor said the two communities will remain together for the sake of unity and development.