As President William Ruto presided over the 60th anniversary of Madaraka Day, he seemed caught between domestic and international hustles. He works hard to play in the global arena only to show inability run the Kenyan polity. In seeking to acquire positive international image, however, he still has to deal with Raila Amolo Odinga (RAO) who is Kenya's perennial political headache. Ruto seems lost amidst out of control structural challenges of political economy varieties. Not knowing how to 'hustle' himself out of the fix, he appears not to be in control.

Three inter-related factors account for his tribulations. First, the Uhuru factor looms large. Having problems believing that 'his people' rejected his candidate, Uhuru continues to engage in unwelcome Raila advancement politics. Second, Ruto seemingly borrowed two tactics from Uhuru which portray him as an Uhuru policy copycat; ignoring public grievances while projecting himself as Africa's spokesman. Ruto's domestic weaknesses, however, undermine his assertiveness abroad, erode his support base, and lead to his possible undoing.