The political scene was stirred by Jubilee party Vice Chairman David Murathe when he made a statement to the effect that Mt Kenya will not support Deputy President William Ruto in 2022.
Murathe, a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta also said that the party has no presidential candidate and that both Uhuru and Ruto should retire when their terms end.
To the prepared, these statements should not be a surprise, since the deputy president has been primed towards an eventual Mt Kenya desertion. The president himself has said that his choice will ‘shock you’.
What is striking about these statements, however, is the choice of ‘territory’ to make them – Luhyaland. DP Ruto has made numerous visits to the western region in his attempt to lure leaders to support his presidential bid (so far he only has the bullfighter Bonny Khalwale).
If Murathe’s words are anything to go by – which is highly likely – DP Ruto will only have to rely on the Kalenjin community come 2022 elections. So far he is seemingly being isolated, systematically.
As the media has reported, Murathe has thrown DP Ruto under the bus. The dissolution of parties to form Jubilee Party may have been a ploy to ensure that by the time the ‘huslter’ from Sugoi gets a party to ride, the other side has gained momentum.
Kenyan politics will always churn endless plots. There are still many years ahead and we can only hope for surprises.
At the moment, the Jubilee Party, and the obscure aristocrats are determined to drive the agenda that DP Ruto is not their preferred candidate.
One thing is clear though, DP Ruto’s name will be on the ballot come 2022. There may be pitfalls along the way, but Ruto has tasted power to let it go without a fight.
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