President William Ruto he reached out to Kalonzo Musyoka soon after he was declared winner but the Wiper leader refused to join him in government.
Ruto said he held a closed-door meeting with the Ukambani political supremo and requested that he be part of his government but he declined.
“I looked for him, we sat down and he told me he wanted to remain in the Opposition. What am I supposed to do?” he posed.
Ruto spoke during the interdenominational prayers in Machakos County on Sunday.
“He refused, but I decided that even if he refused, I must look for other Kamba leaders to be in government the reason we have three CSs and three PSs from the Ukambani region. We will add more,” Ruto said.
The President said Kalonzo’s decision to turn down his offer would not stop him from seeking the support of the Kamba community and having them in key positions.
“I have had a long friendship with the Kamba community. I told myself I would not run a government that did not have the community on board” he stated.
Those appointed by the president from the region include former Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua who runs the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs docket.
Ruto also picked Peninah Malonza to head the Tourism sector.
The region also has a number of government appointees, including Jonathan Mueke, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Monica Juma, an Advisor to the President.
The President said he would wish that leaders from Ukambani do not take the community to the streets to protest against the government.
He asked church leaders from the community to pray for Kalonzo saying he is a gentleman but on the wrong side of politics.
Ruto said the Opposition leaders should also fight for the good of the people and not their selfish interests.
“When we fight for our interests as leaders, let us not destroy the lives of the people,” he added.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged the community to embrace the Kenya Kwanza government.
He said the community only had one Cabinet Secretary during retired President Uhuru’s Kenyatta’s last term yet Ukambani supported Azimio.
“You were Handshake people but had only one Cabinet position. If Kalonzo joined us, he would have gotten something,” he added.
He said the community has earned respect for not being part of recent demonstrations against the government.
