Deputy President William Ruto has tapped the services of Raila Odinga’s former confidant and friend Caroli Omondi who will be part of the war council his 2022 presidential bid.
Caroli Omondo who was the Chief of Staff at the Office of the Prime Minister in the Nusu Mkate government differed with Raila since 2013 and even chased the ODM party from his building located in Kilimani.
The Team Ruto council also consists of political and technical advisers, religious leaders, and trade unionists.
It is expected to offer day-to-day advice on how to tackle the opposition and endear him to Kenyans. The team of technical advisers consists of technocrats that will offer advice to the country’s economy.
Dr. Ruto has also taken some advisers from the Raila-led National Super Alliance (Nasa) on board, including two members of the steering committee — former senators Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) and Johnson Muthama (Machakos).
“We are going to surprise our opponents as soon as the lockdown and cessation of movement are lifted,” Dr. Khalwale told Daily Nation.
Mr. Muthama said: “Only two teams are competing for the presidency. One is with Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila, and Gideon Moi while the other is with Ruto and Kenyans.”
The technical advisory team is led by former Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, the Jubilee presidential chief agent in the 2017 election.
The committee also has former diplomats, university lecturers, rights activists, and lawyers. The team is working alongside advisers on government contracts and some employed by the DP.
Ms. Beverly Moss and Ms. Rebecca Tongei will help craft issues on women.
Youth matters will be spearheaded by Secretary of Youth Affairs in the Office of the Deputy President, Anthony Kibagendi, and Mr. Dennis Itumbi, the former director of digital media in the Office of the President.
Mr. Kibagendi and Mr. Itumbi have been behind the drive to donate tanks, washing machines, motorbikes, car wash equipment, and other stuff to young people.
Mr. Itumbi has also been included in the DP’s media and public relations advisory team that also has Mr. David Mugonyi and Emmanuel Talam, both journalists. Dr. Ruto is setting up an online TV station.
Team Ruto Council It is expected to come up with a manifesto and campaign strategies for 2022.
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The advisers will cover many issues, including gender, agriculture and food security, social, youth affairs, and politics.
The others are policy formulation, ICT and Infrastructure, media and public relations, climate change, and environmental matters.
Agriculture and food security issues will be articulated by Mr. Augustine Cheruiyot, a development economist. He will also handle the “strategy” for the South Rift.
A strategy to deal with health and other social issues will be coordinated by former Turkana County Assembly Speaker Geoffrey Kaituko.
Dr. Korir Sing’oei, the head of law and policy at the DP’s office, will handle political and legal affairs.
Dr. Sing’oei, who previously worked with Katiba Institute, has also been charged with talking to the civil society to support Dr. Ruto’s ambitions.
