Ruto: I regret not helping Karanja Kabage

By , K24 Digital
On Fri, 12 Jul, 2019 17:13 | 2 mins read
Deputy President William Ruto (L) says he regrets that he did not help prominent lawyer Karanja Kabage (R) become a successful politician. [PHOTO | COURTESY]
Deputy President William Ruto (L) says he regrets that he did not help prominent lawyer Karanja Kabage (R) become a successful politician. [PHOTO | COURTESY]
Deputy President William Ruto (L) says he regrets that he did not help prominent lawyer Karanja Kabage (R) become a successful politician. [PHOTO | COURTESY]

Deputy President William Ruto said Friday that he regrets not helping the Late businessman and lawyer, Karanja Kabage, succeed in politics.

Kabage, who was laid to rest at his Mang’u home in Rongai, Nakuru County on Friday, July 12, died last week in a road crash on the Southern Bypass in Nairobi.

His burial was attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga, Nakuru County Governor Lee Kinyanjui, among other leaders.

President Kenyatta, in his speech, eulogised the Late Kabage as a “selfless man, who was committed to changing the lives of Kenyans”.

DP Ruto, on his part, eulogised Kabage as “a man of integrity”.

The deputy president, in his speech, revealed he met Kabage 20 years ago.

“Because of this man Kabage, I own shares in an insurance company,” said Ruto, adding: “he mentored me in business.”

-Ruto’s regret-

The DP said despite their friendship lasting at least two decades, he – unintentionally -- failed to help Karanja Kabage navigate the murky and highly-competitive political landscape.

“When he joined politics in 2007, he came to see me. Today, I regret not helping him be a good politician the way he helped me be a successful businessman. I only remember telling him that politics has a lot of issues, most of which are alignment mistakes politicians often make. I also told him that politics has a lot of power brokers,” said Ruto.

The deputy president said prior to Kabage’s death, he met the city lawyer a day earlier at the memorial service of the Late Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, which took place at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on Thursday, July 4.

“I remember the president stretched his hand to greet Kabage, I too did. Little did we know that one week later, we would be laying Kabage to rest,” said Ruto.

-Kabage benefited the youth – Raila-

ODM leader Raila Odinga eulogised Kabage as “a man who helped many young people in Nakuru County acquire education”.

-‘Heart attack at the wheel’-

On Friday, July 5, Kabage’s vehicle crashed at 9:40pm after he reportedly suffered a heart attack while at the wheel. He died upon admission at Nairobi Hospital.

-Unsuccessful political bids-

In the run-up to August 8, 2017 senatorial race, Kabage, a prominent insurance expert, competed against the now-Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika for Jubilee Party ticket. He lost to Kihika in the contest by over 220, 000 votes.

Kabage then withdrew his candidacy and ran for the Njoro parliamentary seat, but lost to Charity Kathambi.

The businessman vied unsuccessfully for the Njoro seat in 2013 but lost to former MP Joseph Kiuna.

(Additional reporting by Daniel Kariuki)