Retired President Daniel Moi’s former aide Joshua Kulei tops the list of the most influential people in Eldoret North MP William Ruto's political life.
The billionaire and media-shy businessman is said to be so close to the URP presidential aspirant that those seeking to see Ruto have to go through him.
He was said to have been involved in the recent talks when Prime Minister Raila Odinga was trying to woo Ruto to be his running mate.
“The PM managed to get William after talking to Kulei and one of the meetings was held in his (Kulei) palatial Karen home,” a source says.
At times, Ruto’s political activities are sponsored by the businessman who chairs the Sovereign Group of companies, the source further said.
Another businessman, David Langat, who owns the four-star Sunrise hotel in Nyali, Mombasa, is also close to Ruto. He is said to be giving logistical support to the URP presidential aspirant.
Amaco insurance group CEO Silas Simatwo handles most of Ruto’s businesses. Apart from being his adviser, Simatwo is also Ruto's partner in some of his investments.
University don Joseph Magut heads Ruto’s think tank which includes lawyer Kipchumba Murkomen and Kithure Kindiki. Murkomen, who is seeking the Elgeyo\Marakwet senate seat, is said to have caused the defection of Marakwet East MP Linah Kilimo to TNA.
Sovereign Group of companies, the source further said.
Another businessman, David Langat, who owns the four-star Sunrise hotel in Nyali, Mombasa, is also close to Ruto. He is said to be giving logistical support to the URP presidential aspirant.
Amaco insurance group CEO Silas Simatwo handles most of Ruto’s businesses. Apart from being his adviser, Simatwo is also Ruto's partner in some of his investments.
University don Joseph Magut heads Ruto’s think tank which includes lawyer Kipchumba Murkomen and Kithure Kindiki. Murkomen, who is seeking the Elgeyo\Marakwet senate seat, is said to have caused the defection of Marakwet East MP Linah Kilimo to TNA.
Some URP insiders claim that Murkomen took advantage of his closeness to Ruto to line up candidates for parliamentary seats in Elgeyo/Marakwet and excluded Kilimo.
Ruto’s wife Rachael is said to be another key figure who influences Ruto's decisions. Politicians close to Rachael receive many favours from Ruto. MPs Isaac Ruto, Charles Keter, Aden Duale and URP chairman Francis Kaparo are the other key personalitiesin Ruto's inner sanctum.
Former IIEC commissioner Davies Chirchir is also said to be a behind-the-scenes adviser of the Eldoret North MP. Currently, the party is wooing him to become its secretary general.
Besides Kindiki, lawyers Katwa Kigen and Kioko Kilokumi are the other figures who advise Ruto on legal matters in addition to representing him at the ICC.
Nairobi businessman Patric Osero is also a close friend of Ruto and their friendship is said to have began during the infamous Youth For Kanu 92.
Although Osero moved to ODM to contest the newly created Borabu parliamentary seat in Nyamira county, the two are still very close as Ruto termed Osero’s move as "strategic and understandable".
When Ruto was charged over the alleged sale of government land, it is Osero who stood him surety of five million, a factor which underscored how close the two are.
Former Sonu chairman and current URP executive director Nixon Korir and cabinet minister William Ntimama’s daughter Leah Nakinae are also close to Ruto as is Royal Media Services editorial director Faridah Karoney.
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