Connect with us

General News

Kenya: Ruto Set for Grand City Tour After Presenting Papers to Chebukati

Published

3 years ago

on

[ad_1]

Nairobi — Deputy William Ruto was on Saturday expected to present his credentials to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as he seeks to be cleared to contest in the August 9 presidential election.

Ruto, who will be accompanied by his running mate Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira, MP) and a host of high-ranking UDA party officials, was appointed to meet Wafula Chebukati, the National Returning Officer for the presidential election, at 10am.

Thereafter, Ruto who will be making his first attempt to clinch the presidency will stage a grand tour of the capital with seven campaign stops across the city which will culminate with a major rally at Kamukunji Grounds.

His team has said the country’s second in command intends to play by the rules by abandoning State resources, including vehicles assigned to him, aside from his security detail since he retains office until another officer holder is elected and installed.

“The DP has has been using his personal vehicles to campaign and he will continue funding his campaign,” Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok who heads Ruto’s presidential campaign said.

If his presidential bid sails through, Ruto will make history as the first principal assistant to a Head of State to ascend to the highest office through an election.

IEBC had listed eighteen persons due for clearance out of which two — Roots Party’s George Wajackoyah and Umoja Summit Party’s Walter Mong’are — were cleared by Friday. Eight others had been rejected.

Ruto, seen as the de facto leader of opposition, has been increasing sidelined in government in a fierce onslaught led by his own boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta, a leader he passionately campaigned for thrice, twice under the Jubilee Coalition which ascended to power in 2013.