This archive report was first published on 23 October 2019.
Deputy President William Ruto's bid to win the Gusii community vote is facing a major setback, with sources indicating that the region's politicians are increasingly turning to Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i for support.
Published on October 23, 2019, this development has left Ruto's camp scrambling to regain the initiative, with the Deputy President holding a series of meetings with Kisii and Nyamira leaders in a bid to counter Matiang'i's growing influence.
According to sources, Ruto's efforts to woo the Gusii community have been hampered by the mass defections of politicians who were initially associated with him in his bid to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.
One of the key meetings held by Ruto was at his Karen home, where he met with a group of over 20 ward representatives from Kisii, including Deputy Governor Joash Maangi and MPs Shadrack Mose, Joash Nyamoko, and Vincent Kemosi.
However, the meeting was reportedly unsuccessful, with Orange Democratic Movement treasurer Timothy Bosire advising Ruto that he was wasting his time in the region.
Despite this setback, Ruto has continued to visit the region, with estimates suggesting that he has spent over Sh50 million in an effort to woo voters.
