United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leader Deputy President William Ruto who is Kenya Kwanza alliance presidential flag bearer has finally unveiled his running mate choice.
This is after the DP and his allies convened a meeting at his official Karen residence on Saturday, May 14, 2022, which lasted 17 hours.
Addressing the press on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at his Karen residence, Ruto said that after the successful meeting, they agreed to settle on Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua.
Ruto thanked Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, his Kandara counterpart Alice Wahome and speaker Justin Muturi, and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru whom Ruto said missed the running post by a whiskerfor making it to the final shortlist, saying that they will work together to strengthen his government.
Kithure Kindiki was in the runners up position.
The meeting had on Saturday failed to reach an agreement on who was best suited to become Dr. Ruto’s running mate choice, between Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua and Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki.
Ruto’s presidential secretariat spokesperson Hussein Mohamed addressed the media from Ruto’s Karen residence at midnight and assured members of the press that the running mate choice will be unveiled on Sunday May 15, 2022.
Ruto was set to unveil its running mate Saturday, ended holding a crisis meeting with his top strategists until midnight, with journalists waiting outside at his Karen official residence.
He had been expected to make the announcement at 11am, but it was later changed to 1pm, 3pm. But it did not happen.
Sources indicate that Ruto was all set to name Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki as his running mate until Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua insisted it must be him.
In Mt Kenya, supporters of Gachagua in Mathira held demonstrations in town insisting that he must be named to deputise Ruto in the presidential election set for August 9.
