Politics

How Uhuru has destroyed Ruto’s strategy in Mount Kenya

Alleged Election Theft Casts Shadow on UDA Administration, Raila Asserts

Deputy President William Ruto has seemingly revised his campaign strategy following an onslaught by President Uhuru Kenyatta against his inroads in Mt Kenya.

The President’s direct involvement in ODM leader and Azimio presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga’s campaign to secure a slice of the region’s vote bloc have apparently unsettled the DP.

This has forced him to review his campaign tactics and make frequent visits to the mountain to firm up his grip on the vote-rich region — key in his bid to succeed his boss.

Political observers say the DP appears to be aware that his support is declining as Raila’s rises, according to polls. He has to be there consistently to ensure he remains in the minds of the voters.

Not long ago, his influence in most of the region was said to be pervasive. It’s far too soon to write him off.

“What the President is doing has clearly rattled Ruto. We have seen more people from the region join Azimio since the President declared his support [for Raila],” analyst Mark Bichachi said.

“And for Ruto to win, he has to get 100 per cent of the mountain,” Bichachi added in explaining Ruto’s many trips to Uhuru’s backyard.

Nairobi-based political risk analyst Dismus Mokua said the DP knows too well the President’s ability to tilt the scales against him in the Mt Kenya region.

“You cannot ignore President Kenyatta because he has the (political) infrastructure that delivered twice (in 2013 and 2017),” he said.

Let Uhuru and Ruto remarks inspire confidence

Mokua said Ruto has built his own political infrastructure after he fell out with his boss and thus must visit the area many times to ensure it works for him on August 9.

“He created his own [structure] and that is why he is there [virtually] every single day. It is to ensure his infrastructure delivers,” he said

Uhuru has launched a major offensive against the DP in Central Kenya, with back-to-back meetings with residents and leaders from the region.

Last week, the President met hundreds of Kikuyu elders at State House, where he reportedly asked them to reject the DP for allegedly plotting his removal.

This came barely a month after he met more than 5,000 youths from the region and persuaded them to preach the Raila gospel on the mountain.

The latest opinion polls show that while Ruto commands a lead in the region, his popularity had been decreasing as Raila’s increases, explaining the effect of the President’s personal involvement in the ODM leader’s campaigns.

There have been concerns that the head of state has been reluctant to openly campaign alongside Raila in the region.

Sources, however, say the handshake duo plans to storm and campaign in the region, which controls nearly a third of the total registered voters.

Uhuru Cuts Ruto Down to Size in New Executive Order

Ruto has been to the Central region at least 20 times since the President hosted the last meeting at the Sagana State Lodge, popularly referred as Sagana III on February 23.

In addition, the DP has hosted more than 10 delegations, including grassroots and opinion leaders, from the region at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, in less than two months.

This is the highest number of political visits Ruto has made to a region over the period.

The DP’s allies from the region, however, defended his forays in Mt Kenya, even as they disputed the notion that his popularity is fragile and waning.

“He is just trying to consolidate his base. This is where he has the most support after the Rift Valley. He is essentially our candidate,” nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura said.

The legislator said President Kenyatta’s attempt to influence the region against the DP will not sway the ground as the voters have already made up their mind on their presidential candidate.

“His (the President’s) influence in Central Kenya is at an all-time low. That is why most politicians have abandoned the Jubilee Party,” Mwaura said.