Inside Politics

Leaders front Kiunjuri for Ruto running mate in 2022

Sunday, November 3rd, 2019 21:01 | By
Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri (centre) and Mathira lawmaker Rigathi Gachagua consult before addressing the press at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi. PD/ SAMUEL KARIUKI

Some leaders from Laikipia have endorsed Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri as the next Mt Kenya kingpin and are pushing for him to be Deputy President William Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 General Election.

Led by Laikipia Senator John Kinyua and County Assembly Speaker Patrick Waigwa, the leaders said Kiunjuri has what it takes to be the next number two in the country and safeguard political interests of the vast region with over six million voters.

Speaking in Laikipia where the CS distributed avocado seedlings to farmers in Mia Moja, Magutu and Ngenia trading centres on Saturday, the leaders said the CS was the most influential leader in the region after President Uhuru Kenyatta and therefore deserved elevation to the second position perch in 2022.

Well versed

“Kiunjuri was Laikipia East MP for three terms and assistant minister before he was elevated to CS by President Uhuru Kenyatta; now it’s time to have him deputise Ruto in 2022 as he is well versed in high leadership positions in this country,” Kinyua said.

Waigwa said Kiunjuri was the only leader in Mt Kenya region who could rally residents to speak in one voice and assume the kingship status when President Uhuru retires.

“Let us look at the bigger picture in succession matters and rally behind one of our own, so that our interests are taken care of in the next government, because if we don’t identify a person to push our agenda, we shall not have a voice in future,” he said.

Kiunjuri, however, steered clear of the succession debate and urged residents to embrace the avocado farming initiative by the government saying the fast maturing crop would start yielding fruits for sale locally and abroad in three years’ time.

“These plants, if well nurtured will give you returns of up to Sh20,000 monthly after three to five years from now, so water them adequately and you shall reap the fruits,” he said.

The CS also unveiled a milk cooling plant, motor cycles and milk cans all worth Sh10 million, donated to Ngenia Farmers’ Cooperative Society by the Kenya Dairy Board.

Local Members of Laikipia County Assembly Daniel Nyausi, Daniel Mugweru and Patricia Muthoni present at the occasion, also urged residents to support the CS for a bigger position.

-KNA

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