DP William Ruto in whirlwind fundraiser tour of Kisii

Deputy President William Ruto on Wednesday held six rallies in five constituencies in Kisii County in a last minute rush to woo residents with financial support before today’s deadline on fundraisers.

Dr Ruto hopped from one rally to another on helicopter and ensured politicians had limited time to address the gatherings to ensure he kept time for all the scheduled meetings.

The DP was in Kisii by 9am and started his meetings in Kegogi in Kitutu Chache North, the home of Kisii Governor James Ongwae, an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader.

After the event during which he fundraised for women and boda boda groups, he headed to Nyabururu grounds in Kitutu Chache South for a similar funds drive.

He later flew to Nyanturago Stadium in Nyaribari Chache Constituency then to Masimba in Nyaribari Masaba and finally Bobasi Constituency where he held other fundraisers at Nyamache Stadium and Itibo market grounds. Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati has barred aspirants from participating in fundraisers from tomorrow.

“The prohibition includes participation either by attendance or contribution... to stop aspirants from influencing voters [using money],” said Mr Chebukati.

Yesterday, Dr Ruto pleaded with residents to support his 2022 presidential bid, saying, he is the best-qualified. His Kisii visit comes a day after an extensive tour of the region this week by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.

Economic development

“I have come here to tell you the people of Kegogi to support me. I want us to form the government together,” Dr Ruto said.  He listed road after road in the region built by the Jubilee administration.

“From 2013, the 10,000 kilometre roads you heard President Uhuru Kenyatta announce that he had built in Kenya, almost 550 are in Kisii County. We have built [the roads] to benefit Kisii residents,” said Dr Ruto.

He added that, by 2013, Kisii County had only three technical colleges, but there are now five more in Kitutu Chache North and South, Bomachoge Chache and South Mugirango constituencies.

He pledged to complete all projects President Kenyatta promised to fulfil during campaigns in 2013 and 2017. 

He drummed up support for his United Democratic Alliance party and the “bottom-up” approach to economic development.

Dr Ruto was accompanied by MPs Silvanus Osoro (South Mugirango), Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu) Vincent Kemosi (West Mugirango), Alpha Miruka (Bomachoge Chache) and other local politicians. 

The DP accused unnamed civil servants of engaging in divisive rhetoric.

“I want to tell public servants to stay away from politics. Stop careless utterances that can see our country go the wrong way as we head into the polls,” the DP said.

Additional reporting by Wycliffe Nyaberi and Benson Ayienda