NASA ‘swearing in’ will impact 2022

The ‘swearing in’ that we have been waiting for has come and gone – and the next episode of our political drama has started. But even as we look to the future, it is important to look back at the ‘swearing in’ and reflect what it portends for our politics. To my mind, there are three important issues to pick from the ‘swearing in’ that will tell us who the real winners were on Tuesday. First is the decision to let the event proceed undeterred. The second is the absence of Raila Odinga’s co-principals from the ceremony. The third is the remark by Musalia Mudavadi that NASA’s focus is on amending the constitution. Contemplation upon these issues, it seems to me that William Ruto and Raila Odinga were the major winners from Tuesday’s drama.

Raila’s swearing-in took place while President Kenyatta was out of the country and therefore his deputy was the man in-charge. The strategic mastery of Ruto - a man who has had the benefit of learning under the wings of Kenya’s key political figures of our lifetime Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Raila Odinga and now Uhuru Kenyatta – was brought to bear. Following the violent confrontations that have come to characterise NASA events, all indications were the government was gearing up for an epic battle.