President William Ruto’s surprise meeting with his
predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta has triggered a major political debate, with
observers claiming it might come with serious political ramifications for 2027
hopefuls.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua are believed to nurse 2027 presidential aspirations.
The former Deputy President is assembling an alliance with Wiper party boss to grab power from Ruto in the next presidential contest.
The duo has in the recent past gone flat out to court Uhuru, a political plan that could crumble following what appears to be new political realignments.
Kalonzo and Uhuru are principals in the Azimio alliance that lost to Ruto in the last election.
Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni is among leaders who have declared the former Vice President as their new political kingpin. Jubilee is an Azimio affiliate.
Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi told the Star the renewed bromance between Ruto and Uhuru has dealt a major blow to Gachagua and Kalonzo, whom he noted have now been ‘left in the forest’.
“Gachagua is in the forest. Uhuru, Raila and Musalia Mudavadi are supporting Ruto. Gachagua is not able to marshal 2.5 million votes,” Wamumbi said. “I have told my community not to follow Gachagua blindly.”
Wamumbi, Gachagua’s rural MP, said the Monday meeting has exposed Gachagua whom he claimed has been misleading the community that he had closed ranks with the former President.
“He has been saying he talked with Uhuru. I actually dared him to give us photos of him and Uhuru talking,” Wamumbi stated. “They are not together.”
The Ichaweri meeting is the first private engagement between the two leaders who steered the country for 10 years from 2013 before a nasty fallout that saw Uhuru back Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential contest.
While the meeting at Uhuru’s rural home was framed as a courtesy call, pundits say it has deep political symbolism.
“President Ruto took the opportunity to reiterate his appreciation and commendation of His Excellency President Kenyatta’s statesmanship in overseeing the peaceful transfer of power after the 2022 elections, as well as the goodwill the former President has continued to demonstrate toward his fellow leaders and his support for Kenya’s ongoing progress and development,” the statement read in part.
Observers, however, believe the Ruto-Uhuru meeting is part of a broad strategy by the incumbent to counter Gachagua and Kalonzo’s influence in the populous region.
The Kenyatta family brings more than political support to a candidate they back.
As one of Kenya’s richest families, Uhuru’s support may come with a strong financial war chest.
Uhuru’s Mt Kenya backyard remains the country’s most populous region and would present a deadly arsenal in the 2027 presidential contest.
Whoever gets Uhuru’s backing is perceived to have a head start in the 2027 contest.
“He (Uhuru) is still a powerful politician. He has influence in the country,” Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe told the Star.
Critics are, however, downplaying the political effect such a visit will have in the Mountain, whose allegiances have shifted.
Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia said no amount of political posturing by Ruto in the Mountain will help his sinking support in the region that voted for him almost to a man in 2022.
“The Mountain has irreconcilably divorced Ruto. Leave alone visiting Uhuru, even if he visited and stayed at the Mountain himself, it will make no difference,” Wanjiku said.
“It seems people underestimate the people of the Mountain on account of being silent, lack of demos, but for sure they keep their anger very deeply.”
According to the lawmaker, Ruto’s unfulfilled pledges to the region and his role in the impeachment of Gachagua marked his political downfall in the area.
Wanjiku maintained the region is firmly behind Gachagua, who will give 2027 political direction for the community.
“The President should fulfil his promises to the people, stop making more changes on every avenue, let him fix the IEBC,” she said on phone.
“Every Kenyan was unhappy with Gachagua’s removal but because he comes from the Mountain, we feel more.”
Makurweini MP John Kaguchia also dismissed the Ruto-Uhuru rapprochement, terming it a pointless political game.
According to the legislator, the new dalliance cannot achieve anything politically apart from the two leaders enhancing their grip on power and entrenching their hold on factors of production.
“Just like Uhuru didn’t campaign for Raila in the Mountain during Azimio days, similarly he will not endorse the Kenya Kwanza government,” Kaguchia said.
“He (Uhuru) will only give a nod to Ruto to appoint his (Uhuru’s) previous Cabinet members to the broad-based government.”
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi also believes Uhuru is a political spent cartridge as far as influencing the Mount Kenya politics is concerned.
The ODM lawmaker at the same time dismissed chances of Kalonzo inheriting the Central Kenya vote, arguing the region will rally behind their candidate against Ruto.
“Uhuru has no value, he has never had a grip on Mount Kenya since when he vied against Kibaki when he failed to convince Mount Kenya to vote for him,” Amisi said.
“In 2013, Uhuru was voted because of the ICC sympathy. In 2017, it was the forays of William Ruto in Central that brought him back and they almost lost.
“Uhuru is overrated and now that he has gone against the wishes of his people, the little respect he had is completely gone.”
Ruto men lauded the Gatundu meeting as a display of unity that should help in rallying the country in addressing national issues and challenges.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah termed Monday’s event as a demonstration of unity of the nation.
“Unity of the nation, the fourth and the fifth,” Ichung’wah posted on his social media.
Gatundu South MP Kagombe, while avoiding the political undertones of the meeting, lauded the two leaders for closing ranks and showcasing national unity.
“From the national perspective, it is good practice and good political hygiene for a sitting and retired President to have good political rapport. We know there has been no much civility between the two of them. We are now happy that there is a resemblance of civility,” Kagombe said.