Even before the dust settles on the last presidential contest, political bigwigs are already strategising and plotting for the 2027 polls.
President William Ruto, opposition chief Raila Odinga and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka are activating their political activities with their eyes trained on the next election.
In apparent efforts to consolidate their strongholds and crack new grounds, they are deploying various strategies to illuminate their political presence.
“Early campaign is a good idea. Ruto did it and won. The Azimio team are just copying,” political observer Prof Gitile Naituli said.
The President has embarked on countrywide tours, meeting leaders, especially in the areas regarded as opposition bastions, and dishing out projects in clear efforts to persuade them to back his camp.
Ruto also made strategic appointments in his Cabinet, going for regions that did not vote for him, enticing himself to the areas.
The President has also regularly chaired parliamentary group meetings to keep personal touch with the MPs that played crucial role in his victory in August.
Raila, on the other hand, appears be trailing Ruto’s movements and swiftly moving to areas the President visits to neutralise his forays.
The ODM boss has also been meeting his party and Azimio coalition members in a bid to keep them intact in the wake of Ruto’s forays.
Maseno University don Dr Charles Nyambuga however opined that Raila may not be necessarily keen on 2027, but maintaining political influence.
“He certainly would want to remain a critical kingpin with influence on the incoming governments. He doesn’t want to lose his national influence. That is why he is doing the game that he is involved in,” Nyambuga said.
While Ruto and Raila appear to be in a cat and mouse game, Kalonzo has publicly declared his interest in the top seat with his allies piling pressure on him to kickstart 2027 campaigns.
“Some of these things are rather obvious…. why do you want to substantiate the obvious,” Kalonzo recently said in reference to his Presidential bid in 2027.
Since his election, Ruto has kept his presence in most regions, with visits and meetings.
The President spent New Year holiday at the Coast where he met local leaders, including those elected on opposition tickets, and initiated projects, including revival of the Galana Kulalu irrigation project.
For instance, Governors Abdulswamad Shariff (Mombasa) and Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi) —both elected on ODM ticket—attended Ruto meetings.
Ruto appeared to have won big after the governors vowed to work with his administration, a declaration seen as a blow to Raila who has controlled the politics of the region for decades.
The President’s forays rattled Raila, forcing the former Prime Minister to dash to the Coast barely three days after Ruto jetted back from the region.
Raila landed in Mombasa on Thursday evening and was received by Governor Shariff and Kwale senator Issa Juma for ‘a series of engagements.’
During a curtesy call on Governor Shariff, Raila hinted at mounting a sixth bid for the presidency, telling his supporters, his time will "soon come".
"I want you to know that there is still hope, we as ODM and Azimio people will soon be comforted. I want all of you to remain hopeful that it is still possible,” Raila said.
In November last year, the President also made a development tour of Mombasa county where he was received by the county chief as well.
Ruto has also visited Raila’s Nyanza where he has secured backing from several leaders.
Last December, Ruto made a similar visit to the vote-rich Western region where he met all government elected leaders, including opposition’s.
Areas opposition governors and MPs pledged to work with his government to bring development to the region.
“Even if we didn’t vote overwhelmingly for Ruto in 2022, we believe that if he can fulfil the plans we have put in place, they can welcome him in 2027,” Lurambi MP Titus Khamala said.
The governors included ODM’s Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega) and Wilber Otichillo (Vihiga) and DAP-K’s George Natembeya (Trans Nzoia).
“We have shelved politics and decided to work with President William Ruto to attract development in this region,” Otichillo had said.
During the visit, the President dished out several development goodies including launching of Kakamega airstrip, revival of Mumias Sugar Company and completion of several roads.
Ruto also made high-profile government appointments, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and two other CSs from the region.
Ruto also influenced the election of Moses Wetang'ula as National Assembly Speaker, most powerful position in the country’s leadership hierarchy.
These, put together, pundits say, the actions would give Ruto fodder to weaken Raila’s grip on the region. Just like Coast, Western has been regarded as Raila’s stronghold.
Raila has also been visiting Western region and criticising the government.
Besides public declaration that he would be on the ballot, Kalonzo’s allies are piling pressure on him to start the 2027 campaigns.
“This time around, there is nothing to stop Kalonzo from becoming the President of Kenya. Ruto is the only obstacle and he knows it,” Kalonzo said last November.
Early this week, Kalonzo’s troops said it was high time their leader hit the campaign trail to popularise his bid.
“It is not premature for him to crisscross the country and tell people what he wants. He should start that right now,” Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua told the Star on Tuesday.
“The other side (Ruto’s) seems to be in full campaign mode. They have not exited the campaign stage. They are campaigning and strategising and making promises instead of fulfilling the ones that they made,” he added.
Kalonzo backed Raila’s and Martha Karua’s candidature for presidency in the last election but lost to Ruto.
The former vice president is pushing for Raila's endorsement having supported him for the country’s top seat since 2013.
-Edited by SKanyara