The standoff between the ruling coalition never started yesterday or even on the day Raila and his supporters took to the streets in protest against Isaac Hassan and commission. Signs indicate that the stalemate started way back after the 2013 presidential elections.
The fact that the opposition keeps on dragging DP Ruto to almost all its disagreements with the Jubilee government could mean that Raila is dying to have him decamp to his side prior to the 2017 general elections. But is this really possible?
While in Narok for the burial of Zipporah Lemein on Tuesday, Raila mentioned that the Deputy president is ruining his popularity in the Rift Valley region. This could be interpreted that the opposition chief is in a way regretting why he had to part way with the 'King maker'.
In 2007, Raila and Ruto enjoyed a popular friendly relationship and this saw the duo garner massive following in the region. However, as their political friendship metamorphosized to animosity, hatred and suspicion prior to the adoption of the new constitution, things started going bad for Raila and this is why he is never the president.
Sources within the opposition indicate that Ruto is the stumbling block as far as the IEBC dialogue is concerned, an allegation that has been trashed by the Deputy president's office.
If this is to be interpreted or even be misinterpreted, Raila really misses a Ruto-figure in his team.