This archive report was first published on 11 December 2019.
December 11, 2019, marked a significant day in the 2022 presidential election landscape as Deputy President William Ruto's coalition continued to expand. Former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama announced his support for Ruto's presidential bid and revealed plans to vie for a political post in the next general election.
Muthama, a key lieutenant of Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka in the 2013 and 2017 General Elections, expressed his confidence in Ruto's ability to lead the country in 2022. His endorsement is seen as a significant boost to Ruto's campaign, given Muthama's deep pockets and influence in the Kamba community.
However, not everyone is convinced of Muthama's intentions. Some believe that Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is using Muthama to test the waters ahead of a possible coalition with Ruto. This theory is fueled by the fact that Muthama refused to defend his Machakos Senatorial seat in the 2017 General Elections after disagreeing with the Wiper Party over nominations.
As the 2022 presidential election heats up, Ruto's coalition continues to attract key figures from the opposition. The Tanga Tanga group, led by Ruto, believes that the DCI is frustrating anyone associated with the DP. This has led to the arrest of several Ruto's allies, including Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
