DP Ruto’s camp suffers 2 major setbacks in a week

Two events with far-reaching political implications to Deputy President William Ruto’s camp and his quest to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta happened this week.

First was the raid on Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu’s home by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives where crucial evidence in the fight against corruption was reportedly recovered.

Being one of DP Ruto’s closest associates and coming at a time when the war on corruption is on its peak, the raid at Waititu’s house hurts not only his image but also that of DP Ruto.

While he is innocent until found guilty in a court of law, it may also give credence to claims by DP Ruto’s critics that much of the millions dished out at harambees across the country could be proceeds of corruption.

Waititu is just one in a long list of DP Ruto’s associates and senior government officials from his Rift Valley political turf to be named in corruption scandals.

The defection of Kitutu Chache South MP Richard Onyonka who ditched DP Ruto for Raila may have implications on DP Ruto’s 2022 bid.

"Let it be known from today that I am no longer working with the Deputy President since I have found out that our political destinations were far apart and that we are politically incompatible," Onyonka declared.

Part of the reasons given by the Ford-Kenya deputy party leader was that he was not happy with the manner the DP was attacking ODM leader Raila Odinga.

At a time when the country is enjoying peace with leaders from across the political divide reached out to each other, DP Ruto has on several occasions attacked Raila Odinga for various reasons.

While he may have his differences with Odinga, the frequent attacks are doing him more harm than good and painting him as an isolated lone-ranger who does not know his place in the new order of things after the handshake.

Onyonka who was the self-declared chairman of team Tangatanga in the Kisii region leaves DP Ruto with no point-man in his quest to make inroads into the region.

Fights with Jubilee party critics

While Ruto’s trips across the country to ”launch development projects” have won him support, they have also attracted political enemies in equal measure due to the politically charged messages.

Case in point is his frequent attacks on his critics from his Jubilee party called team Kieleweke who he recently referred to as “confused elements” who had nothing to offer and were purporting to teach him how to work with and respect President Kenyatta.

“This group called Kieleweke cannot teach me how to work with Uhuru. I have worked with him for 20 years and supported him from 2002,” said Ruto Kameme FM.

As insignificant as they may be to Ruto at this point in time, the group is capable of presenting a formidable challenge to his 2022 bid by rallying the Mount Kenya region behind his opponent.