Political analyst Gerald Bitok has predicted more animosity and political enmity between Deputy President William Ruto and ODM boss Raila Odinga.
The two who were close political allies ahead of the 2007 general elections have been firing salvos at each other lately, with their allies also joining the fight.
Speaking on Saturday, Bitok said that the rivalry is not entirely to blame on their possible faceoff in the 2022 presidential elections, but dates back to 2007, when they were close allies.
He said that Ruto's animosity towards Raila stems from Raila's hesitation to retire from active politics, something he expected him to do after his loss to Mwai Kibaki in 2007.
"Shida ya Ruto na Raila ni ambitions, Ruto alitegemea Raila angestaafu baada ya 2007 lakini bado yuko hapo hapo akimharibia nafasi zake za kushinda 2022 (The problem between Ruto and Raila is their ambitions. Ruto has problems with Raila as he expected him to retire after 2007, but he remains active and is now disrupting his 2022 winning chances)," he said.
Bitok was speaking on Radio Jambo's Mazungumzo Waziwazi show on Saturday morning.
He added that Ruto is also yet to forgive Raila whom he feels gave him away to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to face charges of crimes against humanity after the 2008 post-election violence.
The commentator observed that Ruto remains bitter that Raila never made any effort to rescue him at a time when he was facing the charges, even after carrying the entire ODM's blame.
"Kule ICC Ruto ndiye aliyebeba lawama za ODM lakini watu was ODM hawakumsaidia. Ruto is mtu wa kuwachilia mambo virahisi, bado yuko na uchungu eti Raila ndiye aliyempeleka kule (In ICC, he shouldered the entire blame on behalf of ODM, with the party not at any point trying to rescue him. Being a man who holds grudges, he is still bitter with Raila for allegedly implicating him at ICC)," he added.
He said that Raila is on the other hand, hard on Ruto because of his swift development and growth, which Raila now sees as a threat to his political career.