Deputy President William Ruto attacked Kitui governor Charity Ngilu over her marital status while on the campaign trail in lower Eastern region.

While addressing a rally on Tuesday, July 19, Ruto mocked Ngilu as he questioned why she had remained single in old age. 

He asked his supporters to explain why the one-term governor had decided to shelve her ambitions, with a section of the crowd stating that the governor was married.

“You have seen the work that the former deputy governor of Nairobi (Jonathan Mueke) did. Isn’t he capable?

“Where did she (Ngilu) go? Did she go to Bondo?  Did you deny her votes? Such an old woman like her cannot get married. Who will marry her,” he stated.

Further, the UDA presidential candidate drummed up support for former Nairobi Deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke, who he stated was best suited for the job.

However, his sentiments did not sit well with pro-Azimio leaders and a section of Kenyans who called out the DP for disrespecting a widow. 

The Kitui governor was married to Michael Ngilu- a Kenyan engineer who passed on in 2006.

Many termed his remarks as insensitive to women who had lost their husbands.

“Dear William Ruto, it is not the wish of Mama Charity Ngilu that she’s a widow. Mama Charity Ngilu is not your opponent,” Gabriel Oguda stated.

“Ruto should respect women like Ngilu and Martha who fought for freedom. My own mother is a widow and her place must be respected. Politics of civility and honour is what we demand from the DP,” Peter Karanja echoed.

Ngilu stepped down from the Kitui gubernatorial race after Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga brockered a deal with Wiper over the candidature of Julius Malombe.

The development came a few weeks after South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro came under fire over controversial remarks on Azimio’s running mate, Martha Karua. 

Osoro had claimed that Karua was unfit to be deputy president on account of being unmarried.