Why DP Ruto failed to name his running mate yesterday

Vice President William Ruto is now expected to announce his running mate today, after failing to do so yesterday following a political stalemate within his party.

Ruto, whose United Democratic Movement (UDA) party was due to unveil his running mate on Saturday, ended a meeting with his senior strategists until midnight, with reporters waiting outside his official residence in Karen.

He was supposed to make the announcement at 11 a.m., but it was later changed to 1:00 p.m., 3 p.m. But that did not happen.

Rounds say Ruto was ready to nominate Senator Tharaka Nithi Kithure Kindiki as a running mate until MP Mathira Rigathi Gachagua insists he must be him.

“The two were called to a meeting by the party leader and some of his top advisers and could not understand each other,” the source said, “and we asked them to leave to allow the team to make a decision.”

The debate continued until midnight.

“The Kenya First Press Conference is coming soon,” UDA spokesman Hussein Mohammed tweeted at midnight when he told reporters the big announcement would now be made at 11am on Sunday.

In Mount Kenya, supporters of Gachagua in Mathira staged a protest rally in the town demanding that he be nominated to replace Ruto in the August 9 presidential election.

“We know the game plan they are playing, we know some Kiambu executives do not like Gachagua and that is why they are persuading Ruto to move to Kindiki and we will not allow it,” one official said after instructing the youths to show up. of the hotel they had set up camp waiting for the announcement.

United Union Resolution One Kenya candidate for the presidency of Raila Odinga is also expected to name his running mate today during a rally at the historic Kamukunji Stadium in Nairobi.