Is DP Ruto's support from Central Kenya for his 2022 presidency assured?

It is said by hunters in my culture that you do not shout at an antelope before you are at a shooting distance. This may scare the antelope or it may arouse other hunters to overtake you. This is the same case with Deputy President William Ruto’s 2022 to 2032 presidency. The President and his deputy when they visited Eldoret, the former revealed what could have been their secret deal of leadership.

This secret deal that now is in the public domain is the concern of some political leaders from Central Kenya. It first started with the vocal and flamboyant Kiambu Governor William Kabogo who after much pressure from some quarters he was forced to clarify to appease the disgruntled section of both Rift valley and Mt. Kenya region that he was misquoted. Of course a common political defense.

When the storm was over the same issue was soothing down, yet another nominated senator Paul Njoroge resuscitated the same issue that the Deputy President should not blackmail the Kikuyu community to support him in 2022. But the million dollar question some people are ignoring is “what do these dissenting voices represent?”

Coalition government is like a polygamous marriage where mistrust is more common than trust. Each party is on toes lest it be superseded by the other. It is this mistrust that create gridlocks in coalition governments world over. After all, coalition governments impede a free democratic space for people to vote for leaders of their choice

Coalitions are created based on vested interests of the political elites with a view of inclusion in the new government and promises to share state jobs. This was the murky journey that the Jubilee administration walked in its early years by appointing their people to plum state jobs that caused a public clamor of seclusion of other tribes. But that is the truth about coalition governments. It is an exclusive government.

Back to the point of Mr. Ruto’s 2022 presidential bid, the leaders who have expressed their voices that the Deputy President should not expect an automatic backing from the Mt. Kenya region are also correct. It is politically immoral to dismiss and reprimand them. As encapsulated in article 32 of the Constitution, the right of conscience, belief and opinion cannot be limited. Further, article 38 on political rights provides that every citizen is free to make a political choice and be a candidate in a political office.

Therefore by saying the DP has automatic support of Central Kenya is like limiting the choice of these people. And such promises are agents of violence and war in case the other side fails to reciprocate citing perfidy.

I can advise that instead of Mr. Ruto storing all his eggs in the Mt. Kenya basket, let him spread them to other regions for any eventuality given that in politics there is no permanent enemy nor friend. These calls though reprimanded by top Jubilee leadership, are a sign that the chicken is headed home to roost. 2022 is very far.

Mr. Ruto, start courting more friends so that by 2022, the Mt. Kenya region can only be an added advantage for your presidential ambition which by all means is valid. Or else, you will be testing the depth of waters by both legs.