Tension developed in the Uhuruto relationship before the 2017 Elections. Then, Murathe warned that Uhuru will be a different man. And ruthless if he won the second and last term.
The Supreme Court dropped a bombshell by voiding the 2017 Presidential Election results. The dynamic duo reunited and vowed to revisit the Judiciary.
If they won. The Court-directed a re-run. Raila boycotted the Re-run and the duo were sworn-in. Raila swore himself in as the People’s President.
All hell broke loose
All hell broke loose and the country became ungovernable. Then, the Dynamic Duo conceived the idea of the handshake. To cool political temperatures.
And play Raila in the Uhuru succession race to fulfill their Uhuru 10-Ruto 10 covenant. After the handshake, the bond between the handshake partners grew stronger and alarmed Ruto.
He sensed betrayal in the succession matrix to derail his ambitions to succeed his boss. He embarked on sensitization tours. To nip in the bud the perceived mischief.
Uhuru noted
Uhuru noted and sarcastically cautioned him through the demeaning term of Tangatanga (loitering).
He played in Ruto’s hands who is an expert in turning such negatives into political slogans and positive campaign strategies.
Uhuru was slow in his response. He gazetted Executive Order No. 1 of 2019 that rendered Ruto idle.
Let his government go overboard
He, then, let his government go overboard in destroying the livelihoods of the lowly in society. Small businesses were targeted.
Especially East of Nairobi’s Tom Mboya street that affected trade in Nyamakima, Kiamaiko and all the way to Ruai. Evictions left many destitute.
Most of the traders affected were natives of the Mountain. Regular and arbitrary fires in Gikomba market. Didn’t help matters with government mandarins suspects.
It provided Ruto
It provided Ruto with the ammunition to attack Government. Now that he felt sidelined from the centre.
Uhuru took it lightly and casually. Not knowing that his Deputy was serious in the scheme to render him a lame duck president.
He procrastinated, allowing Ruto to camp in the Mountain and run away with Uhuru’s bastions.
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Knowing that Raila
Knowing that Raila was the Mountain’s bogeyman, he introduced the Hustler-Dynasty narrative.
The line between the Have-nots (Hustlers) and Haves (Dynasties). Was drawn to inform the Uhuru succession debate.
The rest is history. Uhuru ignored his Deputy and concentrated on building roads and water infrastructure. In the Mountain and Raila’s backyard.
That was not enough to appease
That was not enough to appease the masses suffering under the high cost of living. They would quip, “We don’t eat roads” and urged on by Ruto’s lieutenants.
It reached a point where Ruto exuded confidence and declared. That he was now the kingpin and gatekeeper of the Mountain. It’s not a joke.
Uhuru became restricted to holding Sagana Lodge meetings. With elites from the Region for fear of backlash if he ventured into the rurals, Ruto-style.
These Uhuru actions
These Uhuru actions demonstrate that the Dynamic Duo played Raila. They feign differences in public but Uhuru’s actions and emotional utterances attract sympathy votes for Ruto.
He ignored former NASA strongholds in the distribution of the handshake projects. Leading to alienation of Raila from his NASA principals.
He’s struggling to regain support from the regions. Uhuru hasn’t led Raila to campaign trail in the Mountain. Attracting hostility to his Azimio affiliated candidates.
They don’t dare have Raila on their campaign posters. To avoid being associated with the bogeyman. Uhuru has taken over the leadership of the Azimio-One Kenya Coalition.
Overall chair of Azimio One Kenya
As the overall chair of its council, making Raila look like his puppet. There’s no way a presidential candidate. Can be subordinate to another mortal in an alliance.
The way Uhuru wants us to believe. Uhuru is imposing candidates in strategic elective positions in strategic places like Nairobi.
The majority of Azimio affiliated parties are aligned to Uhuru’s Jubilee. The strategy is for Uhuru’s side to command majority. In the legislature and gubernatorial seats.
Regardless of who wins the presidency
Regardless of who wins the presidency. Some of the direct tickets to unpopular candidates will gift the seats to Raila’s main opponent.
The issue of Raila’s running mate was a foregone conclusion the moment Kalonzo joined the Coalition. But Uhuru’s interference has sent the matter.
To boardroom decision that is not grounded on any law. The scheme is so crafted that it leaves no room for Raila to blame Uhuru for his waterloo at the ballot.