Uhuru factor looms large as opposition against Ruto takes shape ahead of 2027 polls
Since gaining tenancy at the House on the Hill, President Ruto has made overtures to the retired president, including naming him as special envoy to resolve the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and even visiting his Ichaweri home in Gatundu South for rapprochement.
The recent showdown between President William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta has opened the window for a protracted battle for the two friends-turned-rivals as the country heads to next year’s General Election.
Uhuru and Ruto, who were described as the dynamic duo, formed an alliance anchored by their respective communities at a time they were facing crimes against humanity charges at the International Criminal Court at The Hague, Netherlands relating to the 2007/08 post-election violence.
They went on to win the presidential contest in 2013 defeating the late ODM leader Raila Odinga and retained power in 2017 after Raila declined to take part in a repeat election ordered by the Supreme Court.
In 2018, the two, however, fell out after Uhuru reached a deal with Raila, popularly symbolised by a handshake on the steps of Harambee House, which brought an end to antagonism between the two but eventually saw Ruto sidelines from the president’s inner circle leading to a bitter fallout.
Uhuru went on to endorse Raila as his preferred successor in 2022 but Ruto romped to victory.
Since gaining tenancy at the House on the Hill, President Ruto has made overtures to the former president, including naming him as special envoy to resolve the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and even visiting his Ichaweri home in Gatundu South for rapprochement.
During a recent interview, Ruto detailed how his efforts at reconciliation failed leading to Uhuru’s continued engagement in active politics and attacks against his administration.
“I went out of my way and looked for him first in Ichaweri and his office here in Nairobi and asked him, as a former Head of State, the only one living, he should help us to forge a new vision for the country, but he was reluctant and said he wasn’t sure he wanted to do that,” he stated.
Ruto and his allies have variously accused Uhuru of organising and sponsoring opposition against him, including the Linda Mwananchi faction in ODM, which is led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
“Of course, he chose to do what he is doing, organising the opposition and sponsoring them,” Ruto said during the interview.
Amid threats to stop his retirement benefits, Uhuru has refused to step down as the Jubilee party leader and also leads the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition on whose ticket Raila vied in 2022.
With Raila’s demise in October last year, Uhuru tapped Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka to replace him as Azimio leader.
Pundits say Uhuru is exploring the option of Azimio fielding a presidential candidate in next year’s elections if talks within the united opposition fails.
They point to Kalonzo’s elevation within the coalition as a move that makes him the first among equals.
According to Bosco Musyimi, a London-trained political scientist, there are high chances that Kalonzo could partner with either Sifuna or Jubilee deputy party leader Dr Fred Matiang’i in the event former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who heads the Democracy for Citizens Party, fails to play ball.
The former DP was conspicuously missing during the signing of an agreement by opposition leaders at Windsor Hotel committing them to remaining united and supporting a single candidate against Ruto.
“Gachagua was absent at Windsor and also in Kitale during the 34th anniversary of former vice president Kijana Wamalwa and has since left for a 50-day trip to the United States. What does that tell you?” posed Musyimi.
During the Kitale function, Uhuru made it clear that he would continue to engage in active politics despite Ruto’s criticism.
“Freedom for Kenyans is to be able to elect the leaders they want. I’m here to defend that freedom. Nobody can take away that freedom that was fought for with blood and sweat by our leaders. Kenyans have a right to decide. If they say they want Kalonzo, it is Kalonzo. If they say they want Ruto, it is Ruto. If they say they want Matiang’i, it is Matiang’i. If they say they want Sifuna, it is Sifuna,” he said attracting cheers from the crowd amid chants of Sifuna, Sifuna.
He was, however, to clarify that he is not sponsoring any opposition against Ruto.
But speaking at a past church service in Taita Taveta, President Ruto repeated his assertion that the opposition is being funded.
“These people are projects or puppets. These are people who are sent. These are people who are paid,” he said.
