Renown political analyst Herman Manyora weighed in on Deputy President William Ruto's remarks on President Uhuru Kenyatta's retirement, arguing that the DP was trying his best to corner the head of state into affirming that the duo still has a pact.
On Wednesday, January 8, the University of Nairobi lecturer, while speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, explained that Kenyatta was tactically handling his post-2022 plans and that no one could speak on his behalf.
The analyst was of the opinion that by addressing the debate on Kenyatta's plans, Ruto exposed three key tactics Kenyatta has employed in safeguarding what he had in store.
On Tuesday, January 8, during the burial of Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua’s mother, Martha Kirigo, Ruto alleged that neither Kenyatta nor himself had any intention of amending the constitution to allow the president to remain in power.
"In politics, you can't affirm that you know someone as they can metamorphosis at any given time. Only he, the person, knows his thoughts. The safest way is to act with an assumption of what an individual wants. I don't think people would know what Uhuru wants," Manyora stated.
According to him, Kenyatta was either playing both Ruto and Raila, or one of them. He also argued that Uhuru could be waiting for the right time to strike, considering the ever-changing political dynamics.
"He would have shared his details with Odinga to play Ruto or he is playing with Raila. However, he has to support one in 2022," Manyora argued.
Jubilee Nominated MP David Sankok, however, differed and argued that Ruto was right to speak for Kenyatta.
"The president has his deputy and he acts on his behalf when he is not there. When the DP speaks, Uhuru speaks. The rest are people who realise they were wrong not to stand with Uhuru, now they are regretting. Let them answer a basic question, where were they when they were looking for votes. If given a second chance today, they won't vote for Uhuru," Sankok told Kenyans.co.ke.
Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, affirmed that Jubilee and Kenyatta would not part ways, adding that they would cling on to the head of state, who was their 10-year investment.
What astounds is that Kenyatta himself is lukewarm on his retirement plan. On Saturday, November 16, 2019, while at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri County, he said he was open to staying in power past 2022.
This contradicted his very own sentiments which he made on October 16, 2019, while commissioning the Ksh65 billion JKIA-Westlands Expressway in Nairobi.
“Wanasema ati BBI ni ya kutafutia Uhuru kazi. Mimi sitaki kazi, nimechoka. Eeeh! BBI ni ya kuhakikisha ya kwamba hakuna Mkenya atamwaga damu tena katika nchi yetu kwa sababu ya siasa. Tuko pamoja (BBI is not meant to give me a job as they say. I don’t want a job. I’m tired. BBI is meant to ensure never again shall any Kenyan shed blood because of politics)," President Kenyatta spoke.
