By Faith Nyambeki
A presidential race is a multi-billionaire affair and the Deputy President William Ruto is aware of this reality. Being the obvious frontrunner, the DP will attract well oiled individuals keen on benefiting from his presidency through various contracts/tender. And he will need them given the resistance he is facing from the so called ‘dynasties’ and his nature of politics of uplifting his fellow ‘hustlers’. This writer takes a look at some financiers who are most likely to jump into his presidential campaign in 2022.
Chris Kirubi-Businessman, Entrepreneur and Industrialist
Billionaire Christopher John Kirubi is a man who loathes ODM leader Raila Odinga if a post shared on twitter by lawyer Don Kipkoriri is anything to go by. According to Don, the industrialist forced him out of his three companies where he was a director for supporting Raila’s presidency. His tweet read:
In 2017, I was a Director in three or four companies of Dr. Chris Kirubi … He gave me a BINARY CHOICE: Stop supporting Baba or resign from his companies … I chose to follow my conscience & resigned …I will not abjure at any cost: my Roman Catholic Faith, my Conscience.
If the presidential race is between Raila and Ruto, he will definitely put his money on the latter.
David Lagat-Chairman of DL Group of Companies
His relationship with the DP may be frosty at best over unfulfilled promises. According to media reports, Ruto failed to honor his part of the bargain after the Jubilee Party clinched power and used his office to frustrate his businesses and snatched tenders worth billions in favour of Chinese companies. The contracts they expected-with other Rift Valley tycoons- from the Jubilee administration included the standard gauge railway, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport’s Greenfield terminal among other multi-billion tenders which went to Chinese companies. Given the very possibility of a Ruto presidency, the businessman may swallow his pride and support in hope of getting other tenders in his regime.
Johnston Muthama-former Machakos Senator
It was a big win for Ruto after former Machakos senator Johnston Muthama opted to ditch Kalonzo Musyoka and work for him. Muthama was the main financier of the Wiper Party and Kalonzo Musyoka. He has now redirected his energy in working with Ruto and will channel his vast resources in seeing he clinches the presidency.
Andrew Ngirici-Businessman
The billionaire businessman is married to Kirinyaga Woman representative Purity Wangui Ngirici. Andrew Ngirici’s wife is among the politicians from Central Kenya pushing for a Ruto’s presidency. The class four dropout has most likely given his blessing to his wife to support the DP’s ambitions. With his vast wealth, he is most likely to support the ‘hustler’s clerk’.
Ronald Karauri-SportPesa CEO
Betting firms cannot wait for Uhuru Kenyatta’s term to come to end. He has made life miserable for betting firms by introducing punitive taxes. Chances that these firms will pour billions in Ruto’s campaign kitty in the hopes that he will be friendly to their cause are very high.
Domenico Geovando and Leandro Giovando
The two are shareholders of Betin company who had to close shop in Kenya thanks to the new regulations introduced by the government. They will go for Ruto for the same reasons as SportPesa.
Joshua Chepkwony-Jamii Telecom
Although he is seen to be close to Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, this may change as all indications seem to suggest that the DP is no pushover. To protect his business interests that include Jamii Telecom and KASS FM, CK Joshua may throw his financial might to the DP.
Other billionaires who may support him include:
David Langat
Joshua Kulei
Silas Simotwo Next
The views expressed on this article are purely of the author and not representative of whownskenya.com
