Video footage that captured former National Assembly Leader Aden Duale blocking Kilifi gubernatorial candidate George Kithi from the main podium at Deputy President William Ruto's press conference has raised debate on the internal power dynamics at Kenya Kwanza.
Ruto addressed the media on Tuesday, May 10, where he unveiled his coalition's latest signing - Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) led by Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi.
The two were accompanied by lieutenants including Kenya Kwanza principals - Moses Wetangula of Ford Kenya, Musalia Mudavadi of ANC, and Justin Muturi of DP.
Others who were given a chance to appear on the frontline Duale, running mate hopefuls such as Kithure Kindiki, and Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa who is seeking to succeed Kingi as Kilifi Governor.
However, Kingi was in the company of his candidate in the Kilifi gubernatorial race - city lawyer George Kithi.
Like a smart politician, Kithi followed the teachings of the fictional genius politician, Frank Underwood who inspired the Netflix series - House of Cards.
"Power is a lot like real estate. It's all about location, location, location. The closer you are to the source, the higher your property value," Underwood teaches politicians in the series' first season.
As Kithi sought to have a slot next to Ruto - after noticing Jumwa's strategic appearance - he was immediately pushed back by Duale and relegated to the periphery.
Political pundits, particularly those allied to Azimio - immediately had a field day pointing out the power imbalance in the Kenya Kwanza coalition - and perhaps hoping to divert attention from the publicized Azimio power wars.
"Amason Kingi says he joined UDA to protect coastal people. Yet he couldn’t protect George Kithi from being humiliated by Duale. Kithi is PAA’s gubernatorial candidate for Kilifi. If Kingi can’t protect his classmate, friend, lawyer and PAA member, how can he protect a stranger?" lawyer Donald Kipkorir quipped.
Others, however, defended the Garissa Town MP for restoring protocol at the DP's press conference.
"Protocol exists everywhere. Even in your good house - there is a seat reserved for DBK? Was taken aback that George came late and squeezed in front of KKA principals. It took a hawk-eyed Duale to restore order. By the way, the order is critical. Kalonzo should sit next to Raila," the Secretary-General of the Consumer Federation of Kenya observed.
During the Tuesday address, Kingi expressed satisfaction with the power arrangement in Kenya Kwanza - noting that he had been treated with a lot more respect as compared to the Azimio team which he and Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua left under a cloud of controversy.
{"preview_thumbnail":"/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/QmAfsMjzc3Q.jpg?itok=yf6xsw5R","video_url":"","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}
