The newly launched Mashinani party by Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto could be detrimental towards Deputy President William Ruto’s grip in the former Rift Valley province, an analyst has said. .
Governor Ruto launched the party on Saturday and is reportedly scheming to popularise it in the larger Rift Valley region.
But Prof Nyachieo Bogonko, a political scientist in his interview with this writer on Sunday said the party could give the DP sleepless nights ahead of his planned 2022 presidential bid.
“Isaac Ruto has been in the political arena for a long time and is not someone you can ignore when it comes to political competition. The Mashinani party could completely thwart Ruto’s influence in the larger Rift Valley region,” he said.
“He won a ward seat the other day and even made the DP sweat during the Kericho senatorial by-election. If DP Ruto cannot move with speed and dialogue with the Governor, the rebellion may not be countered and could stretch thereby weakening him politically,” he added.
Bogonko also cautioned DP Ruto against dissolving United Republic Party saying it will pave an avenue for the Rift Valley residents to join the Mashinani party en mass.
“Dissolving URP will be adding a problem to an already existing one. This will pave way for the Mashinani party to carry the day in 2017 given that people would view JAP as an intrusion to the region,” he said.