DP Ruto's Resignation: The Delicate Operation Ahead

 When politicians hold meetings in remote areas of the country, it’s often difficult to get the full story. Many journalists can’t attend these events, so media outlets rely on press releases, photos, or video clips from the politicians' teams. This may explain why Deputy President William Ruto chose West Pokot earlier this week to begin promoting the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. It was a calculated move—what some might call “testing the waters.” This kind of operation is delicate and unprecedented: a sitting Deputy President preparing to part ways with the political party and ticket that brought him to power.

Holding such a meeting in a remote area offers strategic advantages. Politicians can easily deny making certain statements or claim a lack of evidence if questioned. But why is this particular move so delicate? First, Ruto cannot remain Deputy President while officially leaving Jubilee, the ruling party. Second, his departure would give Jubilee a significant advantage by uniting the party, which has been described as “damaged” and “bleeding” due to internal divisions. Without Ruto, Jubilee would no longer be split.

This means Ruto needs a careful and strategic exit plan. The stakes are high, as the 2022 general election is only months away. Notably, the Deputy President started his week in West Pokot promoting UDA and ended it with a national television interview on KTN, where he declared he had “given up” on Jubilee. This sequence of events indicates a well-timed, deliberate plan to transition out of Jubilee.

A key question remains: when will Ruto officially leave Jubilee? The answer is strategic—he’ll leave when Jubilee is as weakened as possible. Once he steps out, Jubilee becomes his direct competitor, and the political stakes couldn’t be higher, with the presidency on the line. In national politics, weakening one’s opponent before officially breaking ties is a calculated move.

During his KTN interview, Ruto highlighted Jubilee’s legacy, specifically achievements in infrastructure, education, and electricity during the first term of the administration, when he was deeply involved. However, he subtly critiqued the Big Four Agenda, saying its success was “debatable.” This careful phrasing was a way of distancing himself from Jubilee’s second term, which has been marked by a fallout between the President and his Deputy.

For example, Ruto praised the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) as a massive project but noted that its benefits are “debatable.” While it reduced road accidents along the Mombasa-Nairobi corridor, it also caused economic hardships for many Kenyans in the transport sector. Similarly, while the Jubilee government made significant investments in education, poor execution and the challenges of COVID-19 undermined its success.

As Ruto prepares to campaign for the presidency, he faces another delicate challenge: building a record that resonates with Kenyans. Despite his political maneuvering, many voters may question his tangible contributions to improving their lives. However, in politics, track records aren’t always decisive, and even candidates with minimal achievements have been elected in the past.

Ruto’s exit from Jubilee and his campaign strategy are part of a broader political chess game. As he distances himself from Jubilee, the narrative he crafts will be critical, particularly in regions like the Coast, where the legacy of the SGR is controversial, or among parents frustrated with the education system.