Ruto holds his ground as rivals go after his poll ambition

From left: Deputy President William Ruto, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition boss Raila Odinga follow activities during the anti-graft conference at Bomas of Kenya on January 25, 2019. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Dr Ruto’s view is that a more diplomatic approach would work for him and his 2022 ambitions even in the face of moves thought to be aimed at him.
  • The parliamentary system Dr Ruto envisions is that of an executive prime minister and a ceremonial president operating in a federal system consisting of 47 regional governments.

Just like in spy movies, coincidences in politics are a rare occurrence.

No wonder the decision by President Uhuru Kenyatta last week to make Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i “Chief Minister” in all but name is widely considered a move to checkmate his Deputy William Ruto.

It is the latest in a long list of moves observers say are targeted at Dr Ruto and his 2022 ambitions.

Many political events that have happened since late last year are said to have sent Dr Ruto back to the drawing board, especially the rare declaration by former Jubilee party vice-chairman David Murathe that the second in command was not the ruling party’s automatic choice for the next presidential contest.

HOSTILITY

With three years to the next election, the Deputy President, a politically perceptive player, is already battling the “operation stop Ruto” campaign sponsored by people said to be close to State House

Should he call the President’s bluff in public to display disaffection or pretend all is well and raise concerns in private?

Dr Ruto, according to sources, has told his lieutenants that the last thing he wants to do is to publicly hit back at the president.

About three years ago, he famously remarked, “Nikimpeleka rais kama yule jama mwingine si nitajipata msituni? Wewe unadhani nikianza vita na huyu mungwana atanyamaza tu? (Do you think if I start fighting the president he will just sit by and watch? We know the other guy — in reference to then Prime Minister Raila Odinga fighting President Mwai Kibaki — and found himself in the opposition.)

His idea, according to multiple sources who spoke in confidence, is to handle the Kenyatta succession differently from the way Mr Odinga dealt with President Kibaki.

Mr Odinga’s approach was mostly associated with acrimony and grandstanding that characterised the grand coalition government from 2008 to 2013.

ANXIETY

Dr Ruto’s view is that a more diplomatic approach would work for him and his 2022 ambitions even in the face of moves thought to be aimed at him.

A source close to the DP has hinted to the Sunday Nation that his allies have mulled over the possibility of taking the President and his allies head-on whenever Mr Ruto is “mistreated”, especially after the March 9, 2018 handshake.

Those in his inner circle pushing for this school of thought reason that their continued stay in the Jubilee Party would derail his efforts in consolidating and expanding his support base as the country moves to 2022 and the Kenyatta succession kicks off in earnest.

The group is believed to have expressed fears that, on account of the recent attacks he has been subjected to people around the President, the DP may be caught up in the rigmaroles for the control of the party which could ultimately prove costly.

However, the prospect for Dr Ruto’s exit from the government was flatly rejected.

RAILA ODINGA

First it was concluded that walking out was akin to him declaring open war against the President three years to the next election.

Similarly, it was suggested that his exit could strengthen Mr Odinga’s hand and subsequently give him a bigger say in succession politics.

“The last thing the Ruto group wants is a Raila with a strengthened role in government because it could be very problematic to his interest,” the source told the Sunday Nation yesterday.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, a staunch Ruto supporter, accuses the media of fanning animosity between Mr Kenyatta and his deputy.

“Most of the obstacles are a creation, especially, of the media. For example, when the Cabinet secretary in-charge coordination of national government is reminded of his work, that's interpreted on the lenses of the DP.

"Matiang'i ni mtu wa mkono (errand boy) for both the President and DP. However, 2022 elections will not be won by the number and size of obstacles weaker candidates plant in the way of the front-runner. It will be won by selling superior manifestos and by the past deeds of individual candidates,” the lawmaker said.

REFERENDUM

It would be interesting to see how long Dr Ruto ignores provocation from the likes of Mr Murathe.

But the rubber will meet the road in the event he finds himself on the opposing end to Mr Kenyatta should the Building Bridges Task Force propose that the country needs a referendum to cure what ails its governance.

Another option being entertained in the DP’s camp against a barrage of onslaughts is the proposal to support a referendum so that a parliamentary system of government is adopted.

The DP enjoys the unlimited support of a large chunk of current MPs, something that has enticed his circle into believing that he could be the country’s chief executive through the parliamentary system.

This was revealed by the National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale during the special sitting of the House on December 18.

The parliamentary system Dr Ruto envisions is that of an executive prime minister and a ceremonial president operating in a federal system consisting of 47 regional governments.

DEVOLUTION

Besides, Dr Ruto believes that taking the presidential contest to the constituency provides a far better mouth-watering prospect than the presidential system, which has been riddled with controversy over results transmission.

Under this arrangement all functions, except Defence, National Treasury and Foreign Affairs, will be devolved.

The revelations were made by Mr Duale, a known Ruto ally, who also argued that 80 percent of the national revenue be devolved to the 47 regional governments.

“The presidential system is entangled with corruption,” he told the House on December 18. “Let’s take the battle for the control of the country to the constituency because that is the only way to ensure a win-win situation,” he said.

And in what mimics the biblical saying that ‘nobody gets to the father without passing through the son, some Central Kenya power brokers accuse the DP of trying to endear himself to the masses while sidestepping the “prince”.

VOTERS

It is a well-trodden path. In the run-up to 2013 polls and Dr Ruto having delivered the Kalenjin vote to Mr Odinga in 2007, Mr Odinga thought that he would directly reach out to the Kalenjin nation without DP’s support in the 2013 polls. It backfired big time.

A shrewd politician that he is and a time the Matiang’i appointment had created so much fodder in the political landscape, he came out to downplay it by tweeting, “GoK (Government of Kenya) officers at all levels should align their operations to the ORDER issued by HE the President setting up committees at county, regional, national (technical) and national (cabinet) for purposes of effective implementation of projects & programmes and efficient communication.”