Amid deepening ties between Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto, many believe that regional politics could be in play.
On Saturday, Museveni hosted Dr Ruto in Kampa before the latter commissioned the William Ruto African Studies Institute at the iconic Makerere University. But could there be something cooking between the two leaders?
According to political analyst and University of Nairobi Professor Herman Manyora, Museveni could be keen to stamp his authority in the region and wants to use a 'weak' leader like Ruto to springboard his ambitions.
"The whole issue revolves around geopolitics. It would be in the interest of Museveni, in his desire to be the regional kingpin, to have somebody in Kenya who doesn't seem to challenge that," Prof Manyora said as quoted by Sunday Nation.
The analyst further believes that the DP's close relationship with Museveni would help to water down ODM party leader Raila Odinga's close working relationship with Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli.
Further, the University don is of the opinion that the DP's dalliance with the Ugandan President will help him win the political support of communities living along the border of Kenya and Uganda during the 2022 presidential election.