This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Deputy President William Ruto's Campaign Strategy Shifts to Clergy and Youth ¶
Published on July 10, 2020
Deputy President William Ruto has been hosting multiple delegations of religious leaders and youth groups at his official residence in Karen and his Sugoi home in Uasin Gishu County, as part of his campaign strategy ahead of the 2022 elections.
According to sources, Dr Ruto has hosted eight religious delegations in just over two weeks, and has given equipment valued at millions of shillings to over 60 youth groups to help them in their business endeavours.
"Formalising the jua kali sector will make Kenyans get opportunities to make a living, while at the same time opening up chances for the government revenue," Dr Ruto said at his Karen office when he met a group of young people from Westlands, Kasarani, Embakasi East, and Kamukunji constituencies.
Dr Ruto's campaign strategy shift to focusing on clergy and youth comes as the phased reopening of churches has given him a new campaign platform, which was denied to him by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"As we work towards this, we need to align government policy with the requirements of the informal sector," Dr Ruto said.
Dr Ruto, a self-confessed "investor in heaven", has often used pulpits to make important pronouncements, with the scenario likely to continue since the ban on political gatherings still stands.
