Uhuru Kenyatta: The odd one out, or simply extraordinary political operator?

President Uhuru Kenyatta with DP William Ruto (left) Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka at the KICC on October 1, 2014. [File, Standard]

When, on one Friday afternoon in 2018, President Uhuru Kenyatta disclosed in Nyeri that his choice of a preferred successor "will shock many", some dismissed the sentiments as sheer politicking. But those well versed with his modus operandi were certain Uhuru was up to some wild and risky political undertaking.

And nearly four years later, since his roadside declaration on the second day of November, Uhuru has truly and firmly settled on ODM leader Raila Odinga as his preferred successor. The choice of the opposition chief and Uhuru's hitherto political nemesis is not only baffling but a hair-raising development that is clouded in a lot of intrigues.