The Untold Rift in Jubilee: William Ruto's Role in Kenyan Politics

 

 At the moment, all eyes in Kenya are on the anticipated swearing-in of Raila Odinga and the potential consequences. While this focus is valid, it risks overshadowing other critical and transformative political developments. One such development involves Deputy President William Samoei Ruto, whose political trajectory reveals an increasingly strained relationship with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Under a prior agreement, Uhuru Kenyatta was expected to support Ruto's 2022 presidential bid as a reciprocal gesture for Ruto's unwavering support since 2013. However, Uhuru has instead cozied up to Ruto's political rival, Gideon Moi. To keen observers, this signals a potential fracture within the Jubilee Party and leaves Ruto politically isolated ahead of 2022.

Ruto's influence on Uhuru's presidency cannot be understated. He played a pivotal role in securing victory during the 2013 elections. When President Kibaki’s camp initially favored Musalia Mudavadi as the successor, Ruto leveraged his political acumen and rebranded the narrative around the International Criminal Court (ICC) cases involving himself and Uhuru. This strategy garnered sympathy and reshaped the electoral equation, despite the challenges of uniting a fragmented voter base.

Critics now suggest the Jubilee alliance’s foundation is shaky, with mounting complaints from Ruto’s allies. High-profile figures close to Ruto, such as lawyer Donald Kipkorir and aide Farouk Kibet, have publicly voiced their concerns about the sidelining of Ruto's faction. This, coupled with the president's alignment with Gideon Moi, has exacerbated tensions.

The Jubilee government’s current instability raises questions about its longevity. If the rift between Uhuru and Ruto deepens, it could spell the end of the alliance. Political analysis and even prophecies hint at drastic actions from Ruto that might redefine Kenya’s political landscape sooner than anticipated.

In subsequent discussions, we’ll delve deeper into the implications of this rivalry and explore how it could reshape the nation’s political future.