Ngina, Nick Ruto & 3 Others Set to Inherit Power

They say the apple seldom falls far from the tree, and when it comes to Kenya's political elite, parents tend to groom at least one of their children to take over in the future.

Back on September 24, 2019, social media was abuzz after a video of President Uhuru Kenyatta's son, Muhoho, speaking at a political rally in Nandi went viral.

It was not lost to Kenyans that President Uhuru Kenyatta himself was weaned at the court of his father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. 

Here are five children of Kenya's political elite that appear to be set for future political and leadership roles:

Kipng'etich Kones

The son of the late Cabinet Minister Kipkalya Kones, caused quite a stir back in the 2017 General Election after he decided to run against his mother - Beatrice Kones, for the Bomet East parliamentary seat.

Kipng'etich Kones

The late minister's widow managed 22,796 votes against her son's 2,410 votes.

Kipng'etich was vying on a Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) ticket and got a lot of support from former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, while his mother was vying on a Jubilee Party ticket.

Ngina Kenyatta

On Thursday, April 12, 2019, Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria presented cheques to 17 women groups which were singled out as beneficiaries of the county's Uwezo Fund.

Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria and Ngina Kenyatta presentig cheques to 17 women groups on Thursday, April 12, 2019.

However, his decision to tag along Ngina Kenyatta kicked off a storm, with several publications, including The Standard, claiming that the vocal legislator was helping to launch the first daughter's political career. 

She has also been present at several high profile meetings, including a closed-door session with former US President Barack Obama on July 15, where she is said to have briefed him on projects carried out by the Kenyatta Trust.

Ngina is a director at the Kenyatta Trust while her father is the patron. Both father and daughter were in the closed-door meeting with the retired US president.

Nick Kipkurgat Ruto

The son of Deputy President William Ruto needs little introduction when it comes to Jubilee Party politics.

He has been a vocal member of the youth wing of the ruling party, moving across the country just like his father to conduct various projects.

Deputy President William Ruto's son Nick and Jubilee Party youth leader Victor Ayugi preside over a fundraiser at Nyamasore Catholic Church in Rarieda, Siaya County, on October 6, 2019.

The softspoken lawyer-cum-businessman was very active towards the end of 2019, attending two harambees, the first one in Jomvu, in Mombasa County, on September 1 and the other in Rarieda, in Bondo Sub-county, during which he donated generously.

During the fundraiser in aid of Nyamasore Catholic Church, he helped raise Ksh800,000 with his personal donation of Ksh250,000

Speaking to a correspondent from Nyeri, it was confirmed that DP Ruto's son also graced a friendly football match between local teams in the area on December 14, 2019. 

Rosemary Odinga

Raila Odinga's firstborn daughter also warrants little introduction, as she has been spotted countless times next to her father at political functions.

Back on January 21, 2017, she formally announced her plunge into the country's political pool.

Rosemary Odinga (centre) with George Aladwa (left), who is the chairman of the Nairobi branch of the Orange Democratic Movement, and Tom Kajwang', the Member of Parliament for Ruaraka, in Huruma, Nairobi on September 18, 2016.

She declared that she would be contesting the Kibra parliamentary seat in the August 2017 polls on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket - a seat her dad had once held for 20 years.

Ms Odinga was however forced to withdraw her candidacy after suffering a stroke while on holiday with her daughters in Naivasha, which led to partial blindness.

After two years of treatment, the aspiring political leader announced that she had regained her sight fully in December 2019.

Kennedy Musyoka

Kalonzo Musyoka's son made the headlines back in 2017 when he was nominated to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

He was then elected as the vice-chairperson of the Kenyan delegation at the Tanzanian based EALA.

Kennedy Kalonzo and Gatundu South MP, Moses Kuria.

Just like the former vice president, Kennedy is a seasoned diplomat who is currently serving as the coordinator of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Permanent Mission to the EAC.

Kennedy attended Brookhouse School, in Lang'ata, Nairobi County, where he obtained his high school diploma. His first degree, a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, Politics and Public Policy, was awarded by the University of Newcastle (Australia), in 2010.

With the next General Election coming up in 2022, it remains to be seen whether these young aspiring leaders will be ready to take up the mantle.