Used, dumped and silenced: Ruto's path now littered with loyalists left behind

Former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala. [File, Standard] When they threw their weight behind President William Ruto and helped him win the presidency by rallying support in their backyards, most were optimistic that their stay in Kenya Kwanza would be rewarded. They include veteran politicians who devoted their time, resources, and livelihoods to help Ruto, then a heavily sidelined deputy president, to outsmart the campaign machinery that his boss President Uhuru Kenyatta had assembled, through the Azimio coalition, to upset him. Two and a half years into Rutopolitics and his administration, the very individuals who played a crucial role in his victory and establishment of his era, feel abandoned, with their hopes of financial stability and recognition crushed. This is not merely a governance failure. Observers believe it represents a betrayal that could spell disaster for Ruto in the 2027 elections. Across the nation, disgruntled UDA members are openly expressing their dissatisfaction, lamenting how their sacrifices have been met with indifference. They are not only seeking material rewards, but also the dignity and respect they believed their loyalty would secure. For many of these supporters, the feeling of betrayal has resulted in them becoming some of the most vocal critics of the Ruto administration. Others who managed to get positions in government, have been either sacked or side-lined and given other fringe roles in government as advisers. Overlooked loyalists Cleophas Malala, a former UDA Secretary General, exemplifies the sense of betrayal felt by many. Although he was initially rewarded with the spectacle attending Cabinet meetings- without a ministerial portfolio, he was later unceremoniously removed from the UDA party and consequently lost the rare opportunity to attend the hallowed sittings among CSs. Once a loyalist to Ruto, Malala faced allegations of shifting loyalty during the fallout between the president and his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua. He has since become one of the Ruto administration's staunchest critics, drawing attention with his recent stage play, "Echoes of War," which sparked controversy for its sensitive political themes. "Our mission now is one, to make Ruto a one term president," Malala told Standard group journalists early in the week after a session on Spice FM "Right now we are not interested in who will fly the opposition flag, we are first uniting the opposition with a mission of ending the life of a bad government" Kimani Ngunjiri, the immediate former MP for Bahati, was also a key ally of President Ruto during the campaign. He stood firmly with Ruto when tensions escalated between him and Uhuru. Ngunjiri publicly challenged Uhuru to resign from the Jubilee Party and join Raila Odinga's ODM Party amid disagreements over the 2022 presidential succession. Despite rallying support from Nakuru County and the Kikuyu community for Ruto's candidacy, Ngunjiri faced backlash from his constituents, who ultimately supported the Jubilee candidate Irene Njoki, ending his 36-year political career. After Ruto's victory, Ngunjiri has joined the list of those who now sit on the periphery to just watch political development. An opportunity to be appointed Cabinet Administrative Secretary (CAS) for Lands was stillborn after a court ruling prevented him and 49 others from taking office. The decision left them out in the cold. Ngunjiri has since retreated to his farm in Bahati, while others have shifted their political allegiances or returned to their businesses as they prepare for the 2027 campaigns. Former Attorney General Justin Muturi was recently fired from government after being reassigned to the State Department of Public Service. Muturi has now turned to be the fiercest government critic, spilling secrets- rather verbally, that he encountered in government while serving as chief legal adviser, as is the norm. He has joined impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in exposing the alleged rot in government and some shady deals involving the president and his inner circle. Additional loyalists who have been overlooked include Kate Waruguru, the former Laikipia Women Representative, and Millicent Omanga, a former nominated senator who turned down an appointment to the Nairobi River Commission, among others. Political commentators argue that the neglect of loyal supporters has plagued Kenyan politics since the return to multi-party systems. President Ruto is now under scrutiny for abandoning those who stood by him during his hard times. Many who invested heavily in his presidential campaigns today find it nearly impossible to access him, which has been the case since he got into office. This situation is exacerbated by emerging groups of gatekeepers-close family members, business associates, and political allies-who influence the president and limit access to opportunities for others. The behavior of Ruto's administration resembles that of former presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, both of whom faced allegations of side-lining their political allies. Njenga Mungai, a former MP for Molo, emphasised that dishonesty permeates the country's political landscape. He noted that prominent politicians frequently receive financial backing from supporters with promises of refunds or government appointments. "I have been involved in politics for many years and have witnessed numerous leaders investing large sums of money in presidential campaigns. Unfortunately, there is rampant deceit, as these investors are seldom reimbursed or appointed to government positions. They are often barred from accessing the president as well," Mungai added. As the chairman of the Jubilee Party's Council of Elders and a former assistant minister in President Moi's government, he commented, "Presidential candidates often shift their priorities once elected and forget the promises made to those who supported them." Said Mungai. He urged younger politicians to refrain from investing in campaigns with the expectation of repayment or rewards from the candidates they support to avoid disappointment. "Support a party or leader only if you share in their vision. If you are seeking personal benefits, you will likely be disappointed when promises are broken," Mungai warned. Self interests He noted that the "use and dump" approach has characterised political power dynamics since the country transitioned to multiparty politics. Analysts also note that changing political interests among elected officials complicate the president's ability to fulfil past promises, as he shifts focus towards upcoming elections and building new alliances. Political commentator Andrew Nyabuto says Ruto's inner circle includes individuals who exercise considerable influence and are closely connected to him. Nyabuto stated that Kenya's politics are driven by deceit and dishonesty among political leaders who make grand promises to gain the support of others. He noted that politics in Kenya is motivated by leaders' self-interests, which often change once they take office due to new political dynamics arising. Although President Ruto received backing from many UDA leaders nationwide who anticipated being rewarded with state appointments, Nyabuto emphasised that the political landscape has shifted, necessitating the hiring of new political actors for his political survival. "It is foolhardy for those who campaigned for the president to continue expecting rewards, as the country's political dynamics have altered over the last two years, leading to the formation of a broad-based government," Nyabuto stated. However, he explained that President Ruto had attempted to reward loyal associates, such as Ndindi Nyoro and Cleopas Malala, but those efforts did not yield the expected results. "Once a president assumes office, they are surrounded by a team of advisers, primarily from their home region, who make key decisions about rewards," Nyabuto said. Former Subukia MP Koigi wa Wamwere shared his experience serving as an assistant minister in President Mwai Kibaki's government. He said that decisions were often made by a team with long-standing associations with the president. Wamwere said many individuals felt abandoned by Presidents Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta, and Ruto after campaigning for them to gain power. "Those seeking the presidency have a long list of supporters from whom they expect favours once in office. Unfortunately, things change as it becomes challenging to access these leaders after they are sworn in," Wamwere stated. He added that key advisors who greatly influence government officials often come from long-term friendships, mostly school mates for instance Kibaki fell back to his Makerere University buddies. Wamwere also noted that second president Daniel Arap Moi surrounded himself with a team of trusted associates from his region. He remarked that is why elected presidents find it difficult to fulfill pre-election promises, as new power brokers emerge and exert influence over them. "During election campaigns, aides to presidential candidates are often tasked with compiling lists of individuals to be given jobs once they assume office. Ironically, those compiling these lists rarely present them in State House after the elections," Wamwere stated. Mwangi Kariko, who once served as a Deputy Mayor in the defunct Nakuru Municipality, expressed disappointment in the UDA political party after his support and campaigning for it. Kariko co-ordinated the campaign that led to the election of the first UDA MCA during the London ward by-election in Nakuru. He later decided to contest for the Nakuru Town West parliamentary seat on the UDA party ticket after President Ruto assured him that the nominations would be free and fair, only to realise he had been deceived. "I supported the party and campaigned for the presidency, yet President Ruto has, on several occasions, pretended he does not recognise me, despite having previously called me by name," Kariko stated. He voiced frustration over many individuals who invested their money and resources to campaign for the president and his party, only to be abandoned once he took office. "I have been in politics for the past 35 years, during which I have been part of all major political formations, including Narc, PNU, TNA, Jubilee, and UDA, and the story remains the same. There is much dishonesty in our political culture," Kariko commented. Victor Ngatia, a former campaign coordinator for the Jubilee Party in Nakuru County during the 2017 elections, noted that most leaders invest in political parties for personal benefits. "There are those who support candidates in elections to gain personal advantage, while others support parties and leaders for social transformation," Ngatia stated.

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