The political intrigues that keep getting unfurled everyday points at a bruising battle come 2022.
So far there’s only one known horse – Deputy President William Ruto. The rest are still pondering their moves, before tossing their names into the ballot.
DP Ruto’s rise in the politics of the day is nothing but a rags-to-riches story (as he has made the masses believe). The other day he was questioning ‘those who stagger home’ at five in the morning, and yet have the nerve to question his arguably questionable wealth.
He has the money now, he has the solid backing of his people, and he has the authority in the political scene. But DP Ruto should be hoodwinked by this. There are much greater obstacles to surmount before winning the top seat.
The establishment
There are people who pull the strings behind the scenes. They are the aristocrats, businessmen and sons of the founding fathers of the nation. These people have vested interests in the person who leads the nation, chiefly, to protect their status. Ruto is a usurper, and he must know that in advance. He is fighting for more than the votes. This may the reason why he was denied access to the retired president Daniel Moi.
The Vice Presidents curse
Globally, history is steeped against Vice Presidents. Closer home, Vice Presidents have been unlucky when it comes to succeeding their bosses. Kalonzo Musyoka was counting Kibaki’s support in 2013. He got nothing. George Saitoti, the longest-serving Vice President was bypassed by former president Moi for the relatively unknown, then, Uhuru Kenyatta. Will DP Ruto suffer the same fate?
Simmering discontent among farmers in his backyard
Led by the trio of Alfred Keter, Silas Tiren, and Joshua Kutuny, maize has taken centre stage in Rift Valley politics. DP Ruto has been adversely mentioned in the politics, though they remain allegations. Will farmers’ discontent translate into a switch in 2022? Only time will tell.
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