President William Ruto faces a fundamental challenge to his political career after his newfound ally Raila Odinga’s loss of the African Union Commission chairperson bid. There’s a blizzard of questions and no answers yet.
Ruto has lost Mt Kenya voters after his bitter falling out with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which culminated in the DP’s impeachment, resulting in his pledge for vengeance and vow that he would obstruct Ruto’s chances for a second term.
Raila’s elevation to AU’s top seat of power with Ruto’s fervent campaigning, the President had hoped to inherit Raila’s voter bases and goodwill for his 2027 reelection.
This support would help compensate for the loss of Mt Kenya, infuriated by Gachagua’s unceremonious removal.
Raila, however, was floored in the seventh round of the election on Saturday, in which his Djibouti rival Mahamoud Youssouf took a steady lead in from the third round.
The events have set the stage for political machinations as everyone is watching what is next for the broad-based government and for Raila and Ruto.
At its nascent stages, Raila’s African Union Commission chair bid was considered the gel that held together the loose Ruto-Raila pact.
Political watchers and just about everyone else say realignments are inevitable following Raila’s loss in Addis Ababa, “The broad-based government was formed under the illusion that everyone would win. With Tinga (Raila’ moniker) losing, there will be realignments,” political consultant and journalist Daniel Wangui said.
The furore in Parliament could worsen the situation after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula’s ruling that handed Kenya Kwanza the majority mantle.
A showdown looms on Tuesday after Azimio troops insisted on their being identified as the majority side. On losing the vote, Raila, 80, said he’d return home where “he has a lot of work to do,” giving a strong signal he wouldn’t hang up his boots and retire from politics.
Ruto’s detractors led by Gachagua have already started wooing Raila to join their side to deny Ruto a second term.
“Africa needed you [Raila] most but God found that Kenya…we Kenyans, your beloved brothers and sisters, have unfinished business with you as their coveted son as we unshackle our country from recklessness,” Gachagua said.
A group of Ruto and Raila allies, however, rejected the assertions that the AUC outcome would undo the broad-based government and concept of working together for the good of Kenyans.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki asked the President and the former Prime Minister to shut their ears to detractors and continue working together “to build a united Kenya”.
“We just want to ask that the President and ex-PM, and all the leaders will continue working together,” he said.
