Elgeiyo Marakwet senator Murkomen (left) with Dr. William Ruto (photo courtesy)
Deputy president DR. William Ruto seems to be facing a number of political obstacles in his quest for succeeding President Uhuru Kenyatta whose term will come to an end in 2022. The DP, has supported president Kenyatta's bid since 2013 and together they managed to win an election amid a myriad of challenges that the two faced at the international criminal court (ICC).
The two formed a government under the jubilee party and agreed that Mr. Kenyatta would rule for ten years followed by Ruto who would take over from 2022 with the support of the latter. The first term of president Kenyatta sailed smoothly with the two top leaders displaying a cordial working relationship.
After the disputed 2017 polls, the two restructured their government with Mr. Kenyatta promising to act tough on corrupt public officials. This has seen a steady increase in the number of high ranking officials that have been arrested and produced before court.
Recently, things have not been rosy in the jubilee administration with indications that the party has been split between lieutenants loyal to the president and those loyal to the deputy. The two sides have been reading from different scripts with each sides accusing the other of trying to undermine the other.
The march 9th handshake between President Kenyatta and opposition supremo Raila Odinga further served to complicate issues between the two camps. Ruto's team have termed the handshake as dishonest, insinuating that the ODM leader is using the new found unity as a means to undercut the DPs 2022 presidential ambitions.
There has been talks that Mt. Kenya region leaders are not keen on a Ruto presidency. Speaking at the Maragoli Cultural Festival in Western Kenya, Jubilee party vice chair David Murathe stated that the mount Kenya region was not in any way indebted to the deputy president and that the DP should as well retire in 2022 when Kenyatta's term came to an end.
This did not go down well with leaders from the rift valley and also some from the mount Kenya region. Mr. Murathe's utterances came as a surprise since as a high ranking member of the jubilee party, he ought to mind whatever he feeds the public with. Whether he was speaking on his own behalf or someone else is a fact that can not be fully ascertained.
These are signs that the world is sending to Mr. Ruto. It is good that the cat has been let out of the bag. This gives Mr. Ruto enough time to strategize on his next step in trying to galvanize the elusive vote. The vote rich mount Kenya region is one that almost always guarantees any serious contender a win in the presidency.
Since this vote is not guaranteed, it is up to Mr Ruto to try and forge new alliances with other regions including Western, Coast and the Northern frontier regions. This will not only give him a head start but also guarantee him a win in the 2022 polls.
''Dr. Ruto, you are a top contender in the 2022 polls, don't let the naysayers distract you from the goal. You have all it takes!''
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