A section of leaders from Laikipia County have issued a stern warning to President William Ruto regarding his choice of running mate for the 2027 general elections.
The warning came after Ruto’s suggestion that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party might choose a female deputy president in the next general elections.
While speaking at a gathering in Nyahururu town on Monday, March 11, 2024, the leaders expressed their disapproval of the President’s proposal, citing the need to maintain unity and continuity in the current political leadership.
They viewed the president’s remarks as an attempt to curb the influence of deputy president Rigathi Gachagua in Kenyan politics and have vowed to resist any actions that could divide the unity of the Mount Kenya people.
Additionally, they expressed concerns about potential conflicts within the UDA party if a woman were to be fronted for the position, emphasizing the importance of supporting Rigathi Gachagua, who is seen as a key figure in the region’s politics.
“He tells us that he would want to run with a woman as his deputy, we are here asking ourselves, if he picks a woman as his deputy in 2027, what will happen to Gachagua?… where will he go?”
“We know it is Gachagua who campaigned for UDA in the 2022 elections, so this means there are underlying differences between President Ruto and his deputy,” said one of the leaders.
Also Read: Ruto Hints at Having a Woman Presidential Running Mate
Ruto Reminded of Raila’s Defeat
They also reminded Ruto of the electoral defeat faced by Raila Odinga in the 2022 polls, despite having a female running mate, Martha Karua.
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One of the leaders raised doubts about the likelihood of women rallying behind a female deputy president, insisting that Rigathi Gachagua should be allowed to contest as Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 elections.
“Azimio represented women by giving them Martha Karua, but they refused to vote for her, so we feel that choosing a woman does not guarantee overwhelming support from women voters,” one leader remarked.
They stressed the need for proven leadership and service delivery before considering a female deputy president on the basis of gender alone, indicating that discussions about this should be postponed until after the 2027 elections.
Impact on Gachagua’s Bid
The Laikipia leaders also raised concerns about the potential impact of a female running mate on the tenure of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, suggesting that such a move could hinder his ability to serve for ten years.
The warning to President Ruto serves as a reminder of the strategic considerations that must be taken into account as he seeks to solidify his position ahead of the 2027 elections.
Also Read: Ruto Charms Women with 10 New Appointments
The reminder of Raila Odinga’s electoral loss serves as a poignant example of how crucial these decisions can be in determining the outcome of an election.
Ruto made the remarks during the launch Women Governors Caucus G7 Strategy on Thursday, March 7.
He addressed the crowd saying “We must be intentional and deliberate about the place of women in leadership. We have agreed with Deputy President that moving forward when we are done, in the party, if a presidential candidate is male, then a woman must be the deputy or vice versa. The same will apply to counties.”
