The sentiments by ODM leader Raila Odinga that Uhuru Kenyatta called him to meet President William Ruto following the heated Gen Z protests has angered Uhuru’s allies.
Political pundits have suggested that Uhuru move was to bring together Raila and Ruto so that he can win back the influence in Mt Kenya to himself after loosing it to Ruto in 2022 elections.
Jubilee Party secretary general Jeremiah Kioni many said that people have been seeking a validation that Uhuru talked to Ruto.
“Kila mtu amekuwa akitaka kusema ya kwamba [Ruto] ameongea na Uhuru,” Kioni said. [Everybody wants to say that Ruto talked to Uhuru].
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“Everybody is looking for validation from Uhuru. We will be with the people led by Kalonzo Musyoka and the people are the ones who said Ruto must go and when we say Ruto must go, stop cheapening it that when we say Ruto must go we will be with Gachagua. When we say Ruto must go [we mean both Ruto and Gachagua].”
Insiders have claimed that Uhuru is trying to distance himself from Ruto-Raila broad-based government in a move to vindicate himself from Ruto who made him unpopular in Mt Kenya.
When Odinga realized Uhuru was running away from broad-based government involvement, he decided to spill beans that Uhuru was the one that initiated the talks.
Raila said: “Sasa saa ile nchi inachomeka Uhuru ndiye alinipigia simu. Uhuru aliniambia mimi nitafute Bwana Ruto niongee na yeye. Kenya ikichomeka hatutakuwa na nchi nyingine.” [When the country was burning it’s Uhuru who called me. Uhuru told me to look for Ruto and talk to him. If Kenya ‘burns’ we will not have a country.]
Raila further said that he talked to Ruto and informed him that his appointees performance was below par according to kenyan’s expectations. He noted that Ruto agreed with him to dismiss some of his cabinet secretaries.
However he rubbished claims that he has entered a coalition agreement with Ruto saying there is “no handshake.”
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The 2027 plan
Pundits claims that what’s made Ruto to be susceptible to political agreements at the height of Gen Z’s protests is that he is seeking re-election in 2027.
Ruto, who in the past claimed that he will never enter into any pact with opposition found himself with no choice.
He brought ODM top leaders into his cabinet with hope of winning the regions that didn’t vote for him in 2022 since its alleged that Mt Kenya has lost confidence in his government.
When Raila joined hands with Ruto to form the broad-based government, his Azimio counterparts including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka termed him a betrayer.
After the cessation of Gen Z protests, Ruto commenced his nationwide tour in Mt Kenya and subsequently Gusii region and Western region, a move that has been interpreted as a push to win support in the latter two regions.
