Deputy President William Ruto consolidated and unveiled a 16-member team that will spearhead his 2022 election campaign as he gears for a battle with the Building Bridges Initiative team under President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Ruto managed to secure support from four of Odinga’s former allies in his restructure and a tactical move aimed at landing the presidency and defeating the BBI team in the looming referendum.
Among his new advisers and strategists are Caroli Omondi, Odinga’s former chief of staff in the Grand Coalition government, former senators Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), Omar Hassan (Mombasa), and Johnson Muthama (Machakos) who exited Kalonzo’s Wiper Party.
“We are going to outwit our opponents once the country is reopened,” Khalwale stated while speaking with the Daily Nation on Thursday, July 2.
Muthama will reportedly lead ex-elected leaders aligned to Ruto.
“There are only two teams competing for the presidency. One is with Uhuru, Raila and Gideon Moi and the other with Ruto and Kenyans,” Muthama stated arguing that mass support from Kenyans will carry the day.
Political and Legal Affairs will be managed by Korir Sing’oei, the head of Law and Policy at Ruto’s Harambee Annex Office. Former Turkana County Assembly Speaker Geoffrey Kaituko will handle Health.
Economist Augustine Cheruiyot will handle Agriculture and Food Security. David Mugony and Ruto’s Director of Communication Emmanuel Talam handle Communication, with an eye on setting up a digital platform to campaign for Ruto. An online TV station is reportedly part of their proposal.
Digital Strategist Dennis Itumbi will be part of the Communication team, however, he will handle the Youth for Ruto alongside Anthony Kibagendi, currently the Secretary for Youth Affairs in DP’s office.
For Women and Gender, DP Ruto will bank on Beverly Moss, Secretary, Conflict Management and Peace Building in the DP’s office and Rebecca Tongei. Former Energy CS Davis Chirchir will spearhead the technical advisory team. Within Ruto’s corners also are University dons, rights activists, lawyers, and private advisors.
The team will reportedly unveil a manifesto and campaign strategy for 2022 which will be pushed by DP Ruto allies in government and Parliament.
“As a nation, we need to rethink our position in many matters,” Hassan Omar, ex-Mombasa Senator stated.
