Deputy President William Ruto is set later in the year to unveil current Group CEO and MD of Equity Group Holdings Plc Dr James Mwangi as his running-mate in 2022 general elections.
The decision to nominate Mwangi follows a year long survey and due diligence commissioned by the DP’s think tanks which established that pairing with Ruto with a Kikuyu potentially offers the biggest block vote in the entire country.
The confidential survey further established that the vote-rich Mt Kenya region is likely to vote by majority for Ruto if he has a Kikuyu running-mate than if he has a running-mate from any other tribe or region in the republic.
Kenyan News Day understands from sources close to the Deputy President that talks between the DP and the Multi-billionaire Mwangi who holds largest individual majority shareholding in the banking conglomerate had advanced to a a level which both sides feel they complement each other enough to win the presidency and form the next government.
In a related but largely unreported event, the DP’s de facto spokesperson – Soy MP, Caleb Kositany – on Sunday hosted Polycarp Igathe who is the Equity Bank Group Chief Commercial Officer and who is not only James Mwangi’s employee who reports directly to him but also a political confidant.
Whereas Kositany did not reveal the purpose of the meeting, Kenyan News Day learnt Igathe visit was premised on laying political groundwork for his boss Mwangi. Kositany has previously indicated that the DP’s camp has many options for a running mate and a decision will be made towards the end of 2021.
Hosted my good friend Polycap for lunch and some Mursik. pic.twitter.com/yXHv5w2kPv
— Hon Caleb Kositany MP Soy (@ckositany) March 7, 2021
Political analysts told Kenyan News Day that Ruto was timing his announcement of a running-mate to coincide with a mass defection of Tanga Tanga MPs from Jubilee Party which they have announced they will leave am empty shell.
Although he has never expressed interest in politics in the past, Mwangi is reported to be keen to join politics at the highest levels in order to consolidate his power and assert his leadership among the Kikuyu. Mwangi is also said to be considering running for president in 2027 when the next general elections in Kenya shall be due.
The decision to nominate Mwangi as running mate has brought serious disagreement among Ruto’s allies from the Mount Kenya. Former Agriculture Minister Mwangi Kiunjuri has already announced his decision to return to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s camp to and immediately embark on campaigns that will ensure DP Ruto does not get votes from the Mt Kenya Region in 2022. Other who had hoped to be Ruto’s running mate and are considering rebelling are Tanga Tanga MPs Moses Kuria ( Gatundu South), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira) and Tharaka Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki .
According to Ruto strategist, the Western region which had also hoped to land the running-mate position will now have to take the Deputy Prime Minister’s position – with Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula earmarked for the position. The substantive prime minister will be Wiper Part Leader Kalonzo Musyoka if he agrees to run to become member of parliament so he can appointed PM by Ruto. Kwale Governor, representing the Coast regionis set to be Deputy Prime Minister in the power plan. Other regions will be awarded senior positions in government after Ruto and Mwangi are sworn in.
Mwangi’s Equity Bank has one of the largest customer base on the African continent, and stock market observers will be keeping their eyes on the share price once their CEO and Group MD controversially joins tumultuous Kenyan politics. Recently Scangroup share prices plunged by about 10% after the firm suspended its CEO to investigate allegations of gross misconduct.
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