Reports that Deputy President William Ruto’s popularity in the Rift Valley is weakening in the recent month may not be a good thing for him.
Having seen the same happening to Musalia Mudavadi in the 2002 general election when he went against the people’s wish by being appointed deputy president a few months to the general election in favour of supporting the then president instead of contesting for the top seat, the result were there for everyone to see as he was defeated by the Akaranga who never had the financial muscle to contest against the DP by then.
Going by the same, this may be writings on the wall for him and it’s high time he changes his tactics in the Rift Valley politics.
A series of political events in the recent past, however, have had analysts pointing to the possibility of a shift in the balance of power in favour of a new political kingpin, Gideon Moi. Having teamed up with Governor Isaac Rutto, the strongest and most vocal critic of William Ruto, it is believed that the DP’s hold of Rift Valley is under real threat.
The by-election in Nyongeres Ward where a little known political party candidates defeated the JAP candidates may say it all. The costly mistake that Ruto may have done is dissolving his party for JAP which many residents think lacks identity in the political arena.
The fact that Raila Odinga has an interest in the region votes may offer him a good platform to redeem himself and become the regions favourite candidate based on the word of Kakamega senator, Bonny Khalwale.