Early this week, Garissa MP Aden Duale brushed a few shoulders when he claimed that 2022 will be a two-horse race between Deputy President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga. The other candidates are just wannabes who Duale called punda!
In 2022, it will be a two horse race between @WilliamsRuto and @RailaOdinga. The rest are donkeys. #Newsnight @HusseinMohamedg @citizentvkenya
— Hon. Aden Duale (@HonAdenDuale) August 13, 2019
Moses Kuria, who has also declared his interest in the presidency, was not happy with the fact that he was called a donkey by a man he considers a camel.
Less than 24 hours after Duale’s interview on Citizen TV, Kirinyaga governor Anne Mumbi was on KTN where she said that the Mt. Kenya region was ready for a coalition with Raila Odinga. Some of us were surprised by how Waiguru praised the ODM leader.
“Raila Odinga is my friend, he is my political ally. We discuss serious talks,” she said. “One thing I have admired about Raila Odinga is his understanding and support for gender equality. He is one leader who is willing to stand with women.”
In August last year, a survey by IPSOS Synovate ranked Ruto and Waiguru as the most corrupt Kenyans. Political analysts thought that the two would use this in their favor and form an alliance ahead of 2022. Waiguru even visited Ruto’s Karen home during that period.
@WilliamsRuto 33pc@AnneWaiguru 31pc pic.twitter.com/MNu3B1ccFU
— Robin Njogu (@robinnjogu) August 22, 2018
One year is a very long time especially in politics and Waiguru has chosen Ruto over Raila. I don’t think Ruto will regret losing a person he described using words like catwalk na kizungu mingi in the aftermath of the infamous NYS scandal in 2016.
Not be left behind, Ruto landed in Turkana on Thursday in the company of a very unlikely person; Kivutha Kibwana.
Governor Kibwana has won many admirers including Political Activist Boniface Mwangi who has on several occasions endorsed him to run for the presidency. But has the man joined Tanga Tanga team? Ruto seems to have signed a new member.
Did I hear this right? Kivutha Kibwana joins William Ruto? Jesus. Wapi Akina Boniface Mwangi! pic.twitter.com/RJZHIg9siQ
— Lord Abraham Mutai (@ItsMutai) August 15, 2019
The Makueni boss has a long-running feud with Ukambani kingpin Kalonzo Musyoka. Last month, he was officially kicked from Wiper and his position as Party chair given to Chirau Ali Mwakwere. It also means that Wiper does not have a single governor from Ukambani, the party’s stronghold.
If indeed he has joined Tanga tanga, Kibwana will provide a leeway for Ruto to make inroads into the expansive Ukambani region. Ruto has also recruited Josphat Nanok into his team. ODM ousted Nanok as Vice Chairman in June on grounds that he has publicly denounced the party. He is the only ODM party in Rift Valley.
As Ruto was in Turkana, Raila was at his Capitol Hill Office meeting ex-president Daniel Moi’s daughter Doris Moi. He also held a meeting with Kiambu Deputy Governor James Nyoro. On Wednesday, the AU envoy had held a meeting with President Uhuru’s sister Kristina Pratt.
H.E @RailaOdinga held talks with the acting Kiambu Governor Dr James Nyoro this afternoon before departing for Turkana to attend the county’s cultural festival. pic.twitter.com/IAQ0es5b2m
— NASA Coalition (@CoalitionNASAKe) August 15, 2019
Raila has steered clear of politics, choosing to concentrate on the uniting the country after the famous handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta. But his actions show that he has his eyes on 2022.
The ODM boss may not necessarily vie for president, he may endorse someone like Gideon Moi to challenge Ruto. This would still be a Raila-Ruto affair. Aden Duale is right, 2022 itakua ni farasi wawili.
But first, the two heavyweights will face off in the referendum. Raila is advocating for the Building Bridges proposals while there have been rumors that Ruto could be financing Ekuro Aukot’s Punguza Mizigo.