William Kabogo, a former governor of Kiambu, has advised Kenya Kwanza to adopt Azimio La Umoja’s approach when dealing with candidates from affiliated parties competing for the same seat at the same time.
In an interview, Kabogo requested that William Ruto, the vice president, and Rigathi Gachagua, his running mate, refrain from supporting United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidates.
He advised DP Ruto to follow Raila Odinga’s example, who—despite leading the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)—instead of endorsing candidates from his party, encourages voters to choose whoever they think is best qualified to lead them—so long as that person is an Azimio la Umoja member.
We saw a video in Kajiado where Raila requested the people of Narok to pick between David Ole Nkedianye and Joseph Ole Lenku, whom he recognized as contenders for the Azimio post. I had anticipated that we would act in such manner during Kenya Kwanza, said Kabogo.
The leader of the Tujibebe Party was particularly upset with Gachagua’s campaigning for Kimani Wamatangi of the UDA in Kiambu while the coalition also has other candidates in the area, including Moses Kuria of Chama Cha Kazi and himself.
“We traveled to Kiambu under the guise of Kenya Kwanza, but Gachagua turned it into a UDA matter. He rode with Wamatangi and mentioned a six-piece voting system, despite the fact that we are in a coalition.
“When UDA takes over coalition meetings, we — the principals and leaders of constituent parties — are shut out. This simply indicates that we are not required, and you cannot stay where you are not welcome. You go,” he continued.
