By Betty Luke
Deputy President William Ruto will field candidates for various elective seats in Isiolo including gubernatorial seat in quest to wrest control of the region that is perceived to be solidly behind his rival and Azimio la Umoja Presidential aspirant Raila Odinga.
Isiolo Governor Mohammed Kuti, Senator Fatuma Dullo, MPs Hassan Odha (Isiolo North) and Abdi Koropu of Isiolo South and County MP Rehema Jaldesa, who ditched UDA for Jubilee recently, are all supporting Mr Odinga’s bid dealing huge blow to DP Ruto’s quest to make inroads in the county.
Among those who have already declared interest to vie on DP Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance Party include businessman Hussein Tene (Governor), some elected MCAs (Nura Diba of Sericho and Cherab’s Mohammed Jirmo) and several MCA aspirants.
Reports indicate that Dr Ruto is keen to convince some of key politicians to jump ship and vie on his party promising them direct tickets.
“He (Ruto) want to strengthen his support at the grassroots and the only way is by fielding strong and popular candidates for all positions,” one of his allies told The Press Point.
After months of speculations that Isiolo’s Turkana community leader James Lowasa would be former Governor Godana Doyo’s running mate in the August race, the leader has announced plans to work with a rival camp.
Dr Lowasa will deputize Mr Tene who will run on United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket.
Mr Tene was among the six Borana leaders who went through the elders screening that announced Mr Doyo as the community’s gubernatorial flagbearer in January.
He recently claimed that the process was hijacked by few selfish elders and that he would be at the ballot as residents will have the final say.
While he had hinted on vying on UDA party, the businessman Thursday made it official after meeting Deputy President William Ruto with Dr Lowasa and some MCA aspirants.
“The Hustler movement is for the economic progress for all Kenyans. Today, we welcome to UDA Isiolo Governor aspirant Hussein Tene, his running mate and several MCA aspirants,” Dr Ruto shared.
The new development means incumbent Governor Mohammed Kuti and his predecessor Doyo could pick a running mate from the Somali community which has among others businessman Omar Hassan and former Lands Executive Yusuf Dahir on standby.
Former Ethics and Anti-Corruption boss Halakhe Waqo is said to be interested having a deputy from the Ameru community which Dr Kuti has severally enjoyed support from.
