Editor's Review

A huge number of Ruto's close associates who worked hard for his victory remain jobless. 

The Kenya Kwanza Alliance led by President William Ruto led a spirited campaign that saw them clinch the Presidency in the August 9 polls.   

Ruto crisscrossed the county in the hunt for votes in the company of close allies who helped him, woe voters, to back their alliance. 

The campaigns were hectic considering that they faced a strong opponent in the name of the Azimio La Umoja which enjoyed the backing of the then government.

After his victory, Ruto rewarded many of his close allies who helped him clinch power by giving them plum state jobs.

But despite many getting Cabinet and Principal secretaries position, a huge number of his close associates who worked hard for his victory remain jobless.

Many of them sought elective seats in the August 9, polls and lost.

Here are some of the ardent Ruto allies who are still jobless:

Millicent Omanga

President William Ruto and Millicent Omanga. He was then a deputy president. PHOTO | FILE

She vied for the Nairobi Woman Rep seat but lost to the incumbent Esther Passaris of ODM. Omanga was and is still one of the strong supporters of Ruto who campaigned for him heavily in Kisii and in her rural home in Kisii county.

Mike SonkoThe former Nairobi Governor shifted camps at the last minute. 

After being blocked from vying for Mombasa Governor following a supreme court ruling indicating that he was legally impeached, Sonko shifted to Ruto's camp and announced his support for Ruto's bid.

While he indicated that he was promised a Cabinet slog and several PSs, Ruto is yet to get anything.

Benjamin Washiali 

President William Ruto and former Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali. PHOTO | COURTESY

The Former Mumias East MP refused to defend his MP seat for a third and opted to focus his energy and time to campaign for Ruto's presidency. The MP despite leading the Kakamega campaigns is still jobless u to date.

Cate Waruguru

The former Laikipia Woman Rep decided to try his luck in the Laikipia East constituency. She however lost in the UDA primaries.  

She did not go for independence. Waruguru remained loyal to the UDA party and heavily campaigned for Ruto's bid.

Cleophas Malala

President William Ruto and Cleophas Malala during the campaigns. PHOTO | FILE

He is billed as one of the ANC party members who managed to convince Musalia Mudavadi to join Ruto's side.

He threw his hat in the ring to vie for the Kakamega Governor seat but he was not successful in the end as the ODM candidate Fernandes Barasa of ODM clinched the seat.

He has held several meetings with the President at the State House but he is yet to get something to date in a form of an appointment. 

Bishop Margaret Wanjiru

She is one of the strong Nairobi UDA team members that led President William Ruto's campaigns in the city.

She first expressed interest in the governor's seat before she was asked to go for senate.

Despite taking the senate seat battle, she lost to Edwin Sifuna of ODM. Since losing the seat, the religious leader is yet to get an appointment. 

Rashid Echesa

He is reported to be one of President William Ruto's close allies.

In fact, he is reported to have been seconded to the cabinet by Ruto during President Uhuru Kenyatta's era.

He vied for Mumias West MP seat but lost to the incumbent Johnson Naicca who vied on an ODM ticket. Since losing the seat, he has remained jobless to date.

Kimani Ngunjiri

He has been and remains one of the vocal supporters of President William Ruto. He has gone live several times on Facebook to defend Ruto and criticise his opponents.

The elderly politicians unsuccessfully defended his Bahati constituency seat. He lost to the Jubilee party candidate Irene Njoki.

Despite all the noise, he remains jobless to date.

Isaac Mwaura

The former Nominated Senator is a common face in TV discussions. He is one of the Ruto allies who remained firm behind him and defended his government in TV interviews.

In fact, he was in charge of the UDA presidential campaign in Kiambu County and he delivered his best.

He was to run for the Ruiru MP seat but lost during the nominations. Despite working hard for the party, he remains jobless to date.

Samuel Ole Tunai

The Former Narok Governor Led the UDA campaigns in Narok county. He lost the senate seat to ODM candidate Ledama Ole Kina. Since losing the seat he is yet to land any appointment.

Chris Wamalwa

The vocal politicians unsuccessfully ran for the Trans Nzoia governor seat. The Ford Kenya secretary-general lost to Governor George Natembeya. Since losing the election, he is yet to get an appointment to Ruto's government.

Charles Njagua alias Jaguar

The former Starehe MP is not landed a state appointment.

This is despite not being favoured in the UDA nominations that saw his rival Simon Mbugua handed the ticket.

He joined the UDA campaign caravan after losing the ticket but even after Ruto won, he is still jobless.