‘The end of “UHURUTO” marriage of convenience,’- UYD Organising secretary Sewino
Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) National Organising Secretary Sewino Lawrence analyses the end of alliance between Kenya’s top leaders president Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy president Ruto William;
It is important to note that President Uhuru Kenyatta and deputy president William Ruto before combining forces in 2012, in a hotly contested Kenya’s presidential polls, they were political enemies since the two had earlier supported different rival coalitions including in the popular presidential polls in 2007.
Where Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta supported president Mwai Kibaki whereas Hon. William Ruto supported Hon. Raila Odinga.
It should be recalled that the outcomes of 2007, presidential polls degenerated into further hostilities between the two rival camps that is , the camp which was led by Raila Odinga and the camp which was led by Mwai Kibaki.
Both Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta and Hon. William Ruto were at the forefront of fighting for victory and reclaiming their victory of which Raila Odinga accused president Mwai Kibaki of stealing his victory.
The situation worsened and resulted into the post election violence which attracted the attention of the International Criminal Court (I.C.C).
And consequently intervened by sermoning Hon.Uhuru Kenyatta and Hon. William Ruto.
The intervention of the I.C.C, in the politics of Kenya more so prior to the general polls formed an agenda upon which the alliances were formulated in Kenya then , and the I.C.C, question of whether Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta and Hon. William Ruto would be tried in the international criminal court of justice became a contentious issue.
Since the dual found themselves in a similar condition, it formed the basis for the formation of the TNA – URP alliance together with other coalition partners.
The two agreed to come together to contest for the most important positions in Kenya.
In this way, Hon. Uhuru became a presidential candidate while Hon. William Ruto became his running mate.
And what primarily brought them together was the I.C.C, factor where they found themselves in a similar condition and they needed to fight jointly the I.C.C, cases through forming a formidable coalition.
Indeed, it goes without saying that the I.C.C, factor acted as a referendum question in Kenya during the 2012, presidential polls, thus propelling the two to victory, that is, both for presidency and the I.C.C, battles respectively.
However, after the success of the I.C.C, cases which among others included persecution and forcible transfer of population, this culminated into the development of cracks in this formidable alliance that didn’t only bring the two formerly rival politicians together but also merging the two rival tribes together, that is, the Kikuyu tribe was represented by Uhuru Kenyatta and the Kalenjin tribe was represented by William Ruto.
It is believed that what has brought cracks in this alliance was the differed approach to politics and administration of Kenya where president Kenyatta wanted to create a memorable legacy with minimal interruptions, yet deputy president William Ruto is concentrating on his 2022, presidential bid by even infiltrating president Uhuru’s backyard, through creating small groups by Ruto’s team which ended sabotaging the president’s agenda.
This created unfriendly working relationship between the two up to date.
It is not surprising therefore to see president Uhuru Kenyatta making changes in the administration of Senate by removing Ruto allied forces such as Senator Kipchumba Murkomen from the majority Senate leadership role.
And his deputy and replacing them with his loyalists such as Samuel Poghisio.
The Senate speaker Rt Hon. Lusaka is also expected to table a motion of impeachment of the Senate deputy speaker Kithure Kindiki on friday the 22nd day of May 2020.
Senator Kindiki is also Ruto’s loyalist.
It is highly anticipated that after cleaning up senate, those changes will proceed to parliament .
Therefore, there’s no doubt that the end of ‘UHURUTO’ marriage of convenience is inevitable because it’s purposes were fulfilled way back.
