Deputy President William Ruto directly challenged Raila Odinga's Azimio la Umoja coalition during a campaign event in Kirinyaga County on May 29, 2022, dismissing claims that running mate Martha Karua could sway local voters to Odinga's candidacy.
Ruto accused Odinga and Karua of lacking understanding of Kenya's contemporary challenges, stating, "Even if Odinga clings to Karua, he will not get votes from the area." The remarks came as Ruto's Kenya Kwanza team sought to counter Karua's influence in the region, where she had recently re-entered her political base as Odinga's running mate.
At rallies in Kerugoya and Ngurubani, Ruto criticized Odinga's focus on historical issues, arguing, "Raila is dwelling on challenges of 1963 because he doesn't understand what Kenyans need." He emphasized that educated youth and job creation, not traditional education, should be priorities for the next government.
Ruto's campaign included alliances with figures like Rigathi Gachagua, Musalia Mudavadi, and regional governors, who echoed his condemnation of Azimio leaders as "dishonest." He also highlighted failures in the Inua Jamii elderly welfare program, vowing to prioritize payments to 500,000 beneficiaries if elected.
In Embu County, Ruto pledged to resolve land disputes over the 54,000-acre Mwea Trustland, promising title deeds to residents. He endorsed Cecily Mbarire for Embu governor and announced irrigation projects using water from the Sh20 billion Thiba dam to boost agricultural production.
The deputy president also addressed social issues, pledging government support for churches to combat youth drug abuse and improve community welfare through educational initiatives.
