William Samoei Ruto, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. (Photo: William Ruto/Facebook )
A series of political events have been set into motion towards 2022 with Kenyatta only a hairs breath away from the second term of his Presidency.
One, William Ruto, Uhuru's second in command, has trained his gun on the Presidency. Ruto has not hidden his ambition to succeed His boss in 2022.
With Raila probably out of the 2022 equation, the Presidency will be Ruto's to lose unless anything drastic to change the political climate happens.
William Ruto has demonstrated time and again his ability to marshal masses behind his dugout in the past. He has created a wide network across the country which he may employ in the run-up to 2022.
Yet equally, Ruto has earned himself political enemies in equal measure along his political journey. The Nyanza masses, for example, may not be happy with him for denying baba the Presidency. They have already forgotten his support for baba in 2007.
On the other hand, there is the question of whether Central Kenya will support Ruto in 2022. Critics argue that the Kikuyu community has never supported an "outsider" since independence.
Whether Ruto will surmount these obstacles is the elephant in the house.
Two, there is the question of Uhuru's political heir in his backyard. We have already seen water-testing manoeuvres with DP Ruto seeking to mentor one Muhoho Kenyatta in matters politics.
In a recent meet the people tour to Nandi, Ruto introduced Muhoho to the crowds calling him " the son of my friend". Ruto caused humour in the Kalenjin languaged when he informed Kalenjin girls that the young Muhoho was still single!
This was not just an ordinary meet-the-people tour. It was an initiation into the world of politics.
It is therefore clear that the 2022 journey has began in earnest. The gloves have been removed and it will definitely be a bare-knuckled fight for DP Ruto.