Tough Weekend For Ruto as Rivals gang up to Block his 2022 Ambition

Nothing comes on a silver plate. This is exactly what Deputy President William Ruto is currently passing through since he announced his bid to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2022.

Due to this announcement, Ruto has arguably become the most discussed politician. In fact, when Ruto coughs, all the other rivals catch a cold. His name is now becoming a brand in nearly all quarters especially the media section thanks to the jabs and praises he is currently receiving.

Ruto’s week was, however, marred by a lot of complications and misfortunes all rising as obstacles along his path to 2022 general elections.

First, it all started with his former ally cum point-man in Western Kenya, the former sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa announced his resignation from Ruto’s Tanga-tanga camp and joined Musali Mudavadi’s ANC.

Addressing mourners at a burial in Mumias East sub-county of Kakamega, Echesa vowed to rally behind ‘Mtu wa Nyumbani’ Musalia Mudavadi come 2022 bringing to an end his former staunch support for Deputy President William Ruto.

Echesa maintained that his decision to rally behind Musalia Mudavadi was for the sake of Luhya’s unity calling upon other Luhya leaders to come together in supporting one of their own ahead of 2022 presidential elections.

Although this was perceived as having less impact on Ruto’s movement which is already garnering momentum in Western Kenya, some analysts still see it as a blow to Ruto since Echesa despite the challenges he passes still has a following behind him in the large Mulembe Nation.

To add water on an already Ruto’s slippery ground, Kanu party leader Gideon Moi over the weekend decided to launch his two ‘rockets’ towards Ruto’s camp. As the party’s boss, Gideon Moi was in Kitui county courting former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, his right handyman William Kamket was busy in his constituency launching attacks at Deputy President William Ruto and his Tanga-tanga members.

Gideon, who was in Kitui West constituency leading a fundraiser function at St. James Muthale Catholic Church together with the region’s kingpin Kalonzo Musyoka gave the strongest hint yet of merging their parties ahead of the 2022 presidential election.

Gideon has been a fierce critic of the Deputy President William Ruto with each trying to control the rich vote former Rift Valley province. It was Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua who broke the ice between the two by calling for the two political parties to work together.

“The future of this country looks like this,” the lawmaker said while pointing at Gideon and Kalonzo. We are aiming at forming a coalition that will cater for the interests of all Kenyans” added Wambua.

If Wambua’s callings for a coalition is effected, then William Ruto’s calculations and strategies to State House will take a new dimension. This will mean the DP will have extra work in convincing his Rift Valley backyard to rally behind him and not the son of Daniel Moi.

Gideon Moi confirmed to the congregation that he had already sought Kalonzo’s permission to work with his Wiper party ahead of 2022. “For now, let us work and come closer,” the lawmaker said asking Kenyans to consider corruption “as enemy number one”.

While Gideon was talking of ways to cage corruption in Kitui, his ally miles away in West Pokot was also running out of self-control throwing jabs at William Ruto’s camp by accusing them of stealing from the public.

While indirectly referring to Ruto, Kamket urged the locals to shun away from ‘Corrupt’ individuals who were busy crisscrossing the country in the name of launching developments while stealing and looting public resources.

Kamket who was elected on a Kanu ticket told the Pokot community to rally behind Baringo Senator Gideon Moi in 2022 should the Senator announce his presidential bid.

“We will not allow thieves to ascend to power. You can see how hungry they are yapping all over that they are in charge when we know the Head of State is Uhuru Kenyatta,” Kamket added.