Family affair as lead politicians’ tag kin on the campaign trail
Seeking the country’s presidency is now a family affair.
Family members are not leaving anything to chance as they leave their comfort zones to search for votes for the men who head their families but are now seeking to lead the country for the next five years.
With slightly under four months to the August 9 elections the leading presidential candidates Deputy President William Ruto and his rival, Azimio leader Raila Odinga, seem to have given the green light to those closest to them to join the battalion in the battlefield if recent events are anything to go by.
Ida Odinga and Rachel Ruto have thust themselves into the messy world of politics, the latter making her debut in the murky theatre that’s Kenya political scene.
The former is seeking to continue giving her husband Raila, the shoulder to lean on for his fifth attempt at the country’s top seat.
The last two weeks, the two have been out seeking votes for their husbands as the country enters the homestretch before the polls.
The involvement in politics comes with its own challenges as Ida, who is not new to politics, might have realised on Saturday in Meru.
She walked away from a women gathering after she was heckled before she could address the meeting.
Last Friday, however, a day before the incident in Meru county, she was in Mathioya, Murang’a where she distributed avocado and banana seedlings promising the residents better agricultural fortunes under Raila’s presidency.
“Baba has a solid plan for revitalizing agriculture,” she told the locals.
Days before, she was in Oloitoktok, Kajiado county where she asked women to vote in numbers for her husband.
“I shared with the people the importance of babacare, a programme that will see Kenyans placed on a free medical care plan,” Ida said.
Ida also came to the defence of the country’s independence First Lady Mama Ngina, the mother of President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has joined his son’s succession quest by asking Kenyans to follow his guidance on who should take over from him.
Call for respect
Ida said Mama Ngina must be respected for her opinion after she came under attack from those opposed to her stance.
“We are heading towards general elections, we need to be mindful of each other and maintain peace. We will still need each other even after elections,” Ida said.
For Rachel, who has concentrated in Ukambani region the last one week, is looking to make her presence felt in the country’s politics through the Joyful Women Organization, the self-help group she has nurtured since Jubilee administration’s first term.
She met hundreds of women from Machakos and Makueni who she asked to support Ruto’s candidature saying he understood the problems of the common mwananchi.
“I know the Deputy President, his heart is for the good of all Kenyans. When God blesses him, he will do many things because he denies himself (many things) for others to get,” she said in Emali, Makueni.
Rachel also accompanied the DP for the recent 10-day visit to the United States and United Kingdom.
As the wives join the campaign trail, their children have also tagged along to boost their father’s chances.
Raila’s children Winnie and Raila Jr have prominently featured in their father’s campaigns with the former regularly accompanying him to major events.
Winnie was with Raila when he visited the UK recently and she is said to be one of the key confidantes. Ruto’s children Nick, June and Charlene have also joined the battle propping their father’s ambitions among the voters.
Two weeks ago, the daughters accompanied him to the podium to formally accept nomination to be United Democratic Alliance presidential candidate in the coming elections.
Other politicians have not shied away from involving family members in their politics.
When Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi announced his presidential bid in January, he brought alongside his wife Tessie, daughter and son who played significant roles during the event.
Last week, Safina party aspirant Jimmy Wanjigi also had wife Irene and daughter, Wambui by his side when he announced he will run for President during the outfit’s National Delegates Conference at Bomas of Kenya.
