Deputy President William Ruto has hit back at Kirinyaga County boss Anne Waiguru over remarks she made earlier in the year who stated that the Agikiyu vote is not for sell.
Describing Waiguru's remarks as an insult, Ruto was responding to sentiments by the Kirinyaga governor who said that the Agikiyu are not for sale.
In February 2021, Waiguru hit out at the leadership of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party which was opposed to BBI after legislators of the Kirinyaga County Assembly passed the BBI bill endorsing the change of the constitution.
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"I said it once and I will say it again. You can only rent a Kikikuyu, but you cannot buy them. They know what is good for the region and they will stand by the region," Waiguru said.
However, Rutu faulted Waiguru for the sentiments she made accusing her of propagating divisive politics.
"Please stop insulting Kenyans, there is no community, or person who is bought, rented or paid," Ruto said, accusing Waiguru of lacking ideas to popularise her party.
Ruto argued that Kenyans are intelligent enough to make decisions on who they want us leaders and that citizens cannot allow the politics of tokenism.
The Deputy President was supported by his key lieutenants in Mt Kenya region who stood firm by Ruto endorsing his bid for President comes 2022.
"Once you get a leader who is tested and has shown results, let us build that leader because if we change our mind we will begin a fresh,"Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua said.
Ruto’s response to Waiguru comes after he asked Kenyans to rally behind transformative leaders.
The DP who was speaking on Saturday, July 17 in Kilifi County during the burial of Bishop George Mwangome Chipa and his brother Adam Goe Chipa urged leaders to provide solutions to Kenyans instead of focusing on sideshows.
“Do not support a leader just because he is from your tribe. Check on his development track-record.”
The DP regretted that some leaders were still stuck in old ways of conducting politics that is guided by hate, division and empty promises.
“Do not engage in the gambling of your future,” he explained.
The Deputy President was accompanied by MPs Richard Chonga (Kilifi South), Paul Katana (Kaloleni), Benjamin Tayari (Kinango), Owen Baya (Kilifi North) and Aisha Jumwa (Malindi).
