One of the campaign strategies being peddled around by Deputy President William Ruto's supporters is the fact that he is a son of a peasant, and the dynasties are out to block his ascendency to the presidency.
The March 9th handshake seemed to point towards the dynasty narrative, with Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta being sons of the founders of our nation, which seems to sideline DP Ruto.
Just like his father before him, Raila had been a thorn in Uhuru’s government, just as Jaramogi was during the rule of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. As such, their coming together signals that they have common interests.
The families, including the Moi’s, are considered the dynasties that are seemingly hell-bent on preventing the one-time chicken seller in William Ruto from taking over.
However, if you look closely, the dynasty narrative is dead on arrival. And for the following reasons:
1. Ruto worked with former president Moi
DP Ruto was part of the youths for KANU brigade in the 90s. He was among former president Moi’s 'watu wa mkono'. Even though he was denied access to the old man, Ruto should not claim that he was not of the dynasty, even on a small scale. In fact, it is the Moi dynasty that catapulted his political career.
2. DP Ruto has been in leadership for long
Many of DP Ruto’s supporters claim that Ruto is as sly as a fox, something that has seen him emerge as a Kalenjin kingpin and subsequently the Deputy President. As such, he should understand politics; that nothing is permanent, only interests. He is a dynasty himself by virtue of the long time he is in leadership, although his came late.
3. DP Ruto’s bromance with Uhuru
Early in their term in office, President Uhuru and his deputy Ruto wore matching outfits at one point when addressing the press. Even though the president is coy about his support for 2022, DP Ruto has also been part of a dynasty that has seen him emerge as one of the most powerful leaders we have today. Efforts to whittle down his powers have so far been unsuccessful.
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