DP Ruto denies campaigning for 2022 elections, describes his tours as 'government work'

In a rather startling remark, Deputy President William Ruto on Monday claimed that he has not yet started engaging in campaigns for the 2022 election, and is instead terming his countrywide tours as quote “government work.”

Speaking at his Karen residence, Ruto said that as deputy president he has the mandate to tour different parts of the country and get feedback from Kenyans on government development projects.

He said he is awaiting green light from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) before he can officially start his campaigns.

“I haven’t started the campaign because the campaign period is not yet announced by IEBC,” he said.

It was a statement that may stun some Kenyans as it flies in the face of what critics of the deputy president consider the longest and most aggressive campaign in Kenya's recent electoral politics.

Despite his breathless campaign schedule that includes countless road trips, helicopter hops and a nearly daily menu of visiting delegations at his Karen residence, DP Ruto denies he has been on the 2022 campaign trail.

“What you have see me do is to do my mandate; speaking to people, understanding their issues, assessing the extent of our government programs,” he claimed.

In an apparent matter-of-fact demeanor, Ruto termed his ongoing 2022 campaigns as part of government assignment ostensibly to collect feedback on governance from Kenyans.

“Feedback from the public constitutes public participation and it is a constitutional provision, so when you see me in various parts of the country, it is because I am the deputy president and we have government projects all over the country,” he stated.

Shortly after this statement, the deputy president boarded a helicopter and flew off for a campaign tour of Narok County, where he set his eyes and message on the 2022 elections.

Ruto has kept a punishing campaign schedule in recent months covering literally all the 8 traditional regions of the country.

Last week alone, Ruto was in Mt. Kenya East where he visited Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Tigania among other areas to sell the bottom-up agenda.

On the campaign tour, Ruto has largely been critical of the government, with his messages conflicting between claiming credit for development projects and blaming government for unfulfilled promises.

He has also often portrays himself as an outsider and has thrown jabs at government for its purported support for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga

The official residence of the deputy president has in the meantime been transformed to something of a full time campaign headquarters draped in UDA colours and playing host to endless delegations of supporters.

The IBEC meeting chaired by the DP on Monday was a break from the trend as it marked one of the rare government assignments to take place at the Karen residence.

Nine governors attended the meeting; they included Chair of the Council of Governors Martin Wambora of Embu, Laikipia's Nderitu Mureithi, Josephat Nanok of Turkana, Stanley Kiptis of Baringo, Hillary Barchok of Bomet, Paul Chepkwony of Kericho, Kisumu's Anyang' Nyong'o, Anne Waiguru of Kirinyaga and Uasin Gishu's Jackson Mandago.

Cabinet Secretary for Devolution Charles Keter and two Principal Secretaries also attended the meeting.

The council meeting is aimed at providing a forum for consultation and cooperation between the national government and county governments on budget documents, among other economic issues.

The council comprises of the DP, Treasury and Devolution Cabinet Secretaries, representatives from the Parliamentary Service Commission and Judicial Service Commission, Council of Governor’s chair, Commission on Revenue Allocation chair, and County Executive Committee members for Finance from all counties.