This archive report was first published on 18 June 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has pulled off a major political surprise by consolidating his support in western Kenya, a move that could deal a significant blow to Deputy President William Ruto's 2022 presidential bid.
On Thursday, the President directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i to host a consultative meeting with leaders from the five counties in the western region to deliberate on development projects.
The meeting, which was attended by over 20 MPs, three governors, and four senators, was aimed at accelerating the completion of stalled projects in the region.
According to Education Chief Administrative Secretary Zack Kinuthia, the President's move is aimed at giving western Kenya economic freedom, rather than political and sovereignty liberation.
Deputy President Ruto had been using the projects route to make political inroads in various parts of the country, earning him the moniker 'Tangatanga.'
However, with the projects route blocked, Ruto will need to come up with innovative ways of selling his agenda in the run-up to 2022.
As expected, pro-Ruto MPs did not show up at the meeting, amid reports that they had been asked to stay away.
